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Updated August 23, 2023

UCL Playoff: Molde VS Galatasaray - Team News & Prediction

TL;DR

Tonight, Norwegian club Molde FK will host the Turkish side, Galatasaray, in the first leg of the Playoff Round.

UCL Playoff: Molde VS Galatasaray - Team News & Prediction

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The playoff round of the UEFA Champions League has started already. It is the final round to enter the main stage of the Champions League. The Playoff round involves 12 teams who will face off in a two-leg match. Therefore, six winners will directly go to the UEFA Champions League group stage, while the remaining six will play in the UEFA Europa League. Tonight, Norwegian club Molde FK will host the Turkish side, Galatasaray, in the first leg of the Playoff Round.

Stats&Facts

Norwegian club Molde FK made an unbelievable comeback in the Third Qualifying Round to reach the Playoff of the Champions League. In the first leg of the Third Qualifying Round against Klaksvik FC, Molde FK lost by a 2-1 margin. Therefore, Molde needed to win the second leg with a minimum of two goals margin to reach the Playoff, and guess what? The Norwegian club did it as they smashed Klaksvik FC with two goals at their home and secured their place in the Playoff Round. On the other hand, the Turkish club Galatasaray was very dominant in the two legs of the Third Qualifying Round. They reached the Playoff round with a 4-0 aggregate against Olimpija. Anyway, it will be their first-ever meeting between Molde and Galatasaray. Their meeting will be more interesting since both clubs are in good form. Molde FK are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions. The Norwegian club were on a 10-game winning streak before the goalless draw against Valerenga on Saturday. Molde FK are unbeaten in their last eight home games in the UEFA Champions League, including the qualifiers. They won five of them and kept a clean sheet also. Besides, Galatasaray are also in good form. They are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches this season, including four wins. The Turkish club also have kept five clean sheets in a row. But their records in the UCL are not going well. Galatasaray have won just one of their last 20 away games in this competition. They also have suffered 15 losses in these 20 games.

Team News

Molde's defender Eirik Haugan was sent off against Valerenga. But Eirik Haugan is available for the UCL game. The rest of the players of Molde are fully fit and ready to play against Galatasaray. However, Galatasaray have done a brilliant job during the summer transfer window. They have signed Wilfred Zaha from Crystal Palace, Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea FC, and Mauro Icardi. Unfortunately, Galatasaray will not get the service of Zaha and Ziyech against Molde, as both are injured. But Icardi is fit enough to play tonight. The Possible Lineup for Molde: Karlstrom; Bjornbak, Ellingsen, Haugan; Linnes, Mannsverk, Breivik, Eriksen, Haugen; Eikrem, Brynhildsen The Possible Lineup for Galatasaray: Muslera; Boey, Nelsson, Ayhan, Angelino; Kutlu, Oliveira; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi

Prediction: Molde 1-1 Galatasaray

Galatasay's squad is comparatively stronger than Molde's. But Molde have shown their team work in recent game. Molde will have the home advantage at Aker Stadion. Therefore, the match will be very competitive tonight.

Betfair Odds

Molde FK: 3.14 Draw: 3.47 Galatasaray: 2.31

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