Molde vs Club Brugge
UEFA Europa Conference League
Round of 16
Thursday
7th March 2024
Aker Stadion
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the UEFA Europa Conference League fixture between Molde and Club Brugge.
Molde vs Club Brugge: Preview
Molde form analysis
Molde’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with some impressive victories overshadowed by heavy defeats. In the Europa League, they secured a convincing 3-1 away win against Häcken, with Fredrik Gulbrandsen and Kristoffer Eriksen’s brace proving too much for the Swedish side. They followed this up with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Qarabag, with Eriksen’s late double canceling out Juninho and Badavi Mustafazadə’s strikes. However, Molde were then on the receiving end of a 5-1 thrashing by Bayer Leverkusen, with Patrick Schick, Edmond Tapsoba, an own goal from Magnus Ellingsen, and Adam Hložek’s brace outweighing Emil Kitolano’s consolation.
Their fortunes have improved in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they secured back-to-back victories over Legia Warsaw. In the first encounter, Gulbrandsen’s brace and Magnus Kaasa’s strike sealed a 3-2 win, despite Josué and Rafał Augustyniak’s efforts for the Polish side. Molde then completed the double with a comprehensive 3-0 away triumph, with Gulbrandsen netting a hat-trick and Erik Hestad also finding the net.
Club Brugge form analysis
Bruges have been in unreal form off late in the conference League. They managed to get on this run after settling for draws in their opening two fixtures. Against Bodø / Glimt, Vanaken got on the scoresheet early. This proved to be the only goal of the fixture. On the road against Lugano they registered a comfortable 3-1 win through goals from Balanta, Skov Olsen and Vanaken. They got a clean sheet in the return leg with Thiago and Vanaken being the scorers.
The club turned the heads of other big clubs in the competition through their 0-5 destroyal of Besiktas on the road. Nielsen, Onyedika and Skov Olsen got on the scoresheet. While Thiago bagged a brace. They wrapped up the group stages with a dominant 3-1 win against Bodø / Glimt. Nusa, Thiago and Mechele were the scorers.