In the first leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round, Norwegian side Molde are set to host Elfsborg at Aker Stadion on Thursday.
The home side entered in the competition in the second qualifying round and saw off Cercle Brugge in the third, while the Swedish visitors entered in the first round and beat Rijeka 3-1 on aggregate in their last tie.
Match preview
© Imago
Though the hosts lost 1-0 in the second leg of the Europa League's third qualifying round on August 15, their 3-0 win against Cercle Brugge in the first leg on August 8 was enough to see them through.
MFK were dominant in their 3-0 win, and ended the game with 53% possession, 15 shots and eight on target, in contrast to one attempt on target from Cercle Brugge.
In truth, Molde faced little resistance in the second leg after opposition midfielder Abu Francis was sent off after just 30 minutes.
After 18 out of 30 matches in the Norwegian top flight this season, Molde are fourth with 31 points and are averaging 1.72 points per game, slightly more than the 1.7 they averaged last term.
Boss Erling Moe will be aware that his current side are still short of their 2022 title-winning team that accumulated 78 points, but he does at least have the opportunity to guide the club into the group stage of the Europa League for the second consecutive season.
Molde come into the clash having lost four of their previous seven matches, though they are unbeaten in their last four home games in the Europa League, and won three of those fixtures.
![Erling Moe, head coach of Molde, ahead of the UEFA Europa League qualification match between Molde and Cercle Brugge on August 8, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/erling-moe.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Erling Moe, head coach of Molde, ahead of the UEFA Europa League qualification match between Molde and Cercle Brugge on August 8, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Opponents Elfsborg would have had a clean sweep of six victories from their three qualifying ties had they not drawn 1-1 against Rijeka in their first-leg tie on August 8.
It should be noted that Di Gule were able to hold out for a draw despite being forced to play with 10 players from the 56th minute after Jalal Abdullai was sent off with the scoreline at 1-1.
The second leg was a close affair, with Elfsborg only taking the lead in the 68th minute after forward Michael Baidoo took advantage of an error in the Rijeka backline.
Ahmed Qasem scored their second of the game in 83rd minute from close range after Di Gule countered at speed and combined well in the penalty area.
Elfsborg will be pleased with their performance in the Europa League considering they are currently seventh in the Swedish top flight with 29 points from 19 games.
In fairness to manager Oscar Hiljemark, his side are unbeaten in their last five away matches and have won nine of their last 12 games in all competitions.
Team News
![Elfsborg's manager Oscar Hiljemark is saddended at a press conference after the football match between Mjällby and Elfsborg on August 18, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/oscar-hiljemark.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Elfsborg's manager Oscar Hiljemark is saddended at a press conference after the football match between Mjällby and Elfsborg on August 18, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Molde forwards Fredrik Gulbrandsen and Veton Berisha are expected to be out until late August with injuries.
Moe could name a similar team on Thursday to the one that started in his side's 3-0 win against Cercle Brugge, and goalscorers Martin Linnes, Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Kristian Eriksen may retain their places.
As for the visitors, centre-back Gustav Henriksson is a doubt after he missed his side's most recent match against Mjallby.
Buhari Ibrahim could start instead of Henriksson, and he may be joined by fellow centre-backs Sebastian Holmen and Terry Yegbe.
Molde possible starting lineup:
Posiadala; Oyvann, Hagelskjaer, Lund; Linnes, Kaasa, Daehli, Breivik, Lovik; Eikrem, Eriksen
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Yegbe, Ibrahim, Holmen; Hedlund, Zeneli, Ouma, Hult; Qasem, Baidoo, Frick
We say: Molde 1-1 Elfsborg
Although Molde were more dominant in their third qualifying round than Elfsborg were in theirs, it is difficult to ignore the visitors' strong form in recent matches.
It would not be surprising if the first leg was another closely fought contest, leaving all to play for in the second.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
