Molde vs Galatasaray Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 21/08/2023, 08:52  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 21/08/2023 at 09:53 in Champions League Predictions

Molde host Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The Norwegians have only once made it into the group stages of the Champions League. That was in the 1999-2000 season when finishing last behind Real Madrid, Porto and Olympiakos. Last season saw them get to the group stages of the Europa Conference League. Now they're hoping to get to that stage in the Champions League. Two ties have had to be won to reach this stage. The second qualifying round saw them defeat HJK Helsinki 2-1 on aggregate. The away first leg was lost 1-0 but two late goals saw them win the return match and qualify. In the third qualifying round, Molde again lost the away first leg, this time 2-1 at Kl. That was despite taking an early lead. Extra time was needed in the home second leg and eventually a 112th minute winner saw MFK win 2-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate. Only one of their last five home European games have been lost. They are currently fourth in their domestic league but go into this game having won only one of their last four league and cup matches.

Galatasaray are bidding to reach the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Last season saw them reach the last 16 of the Europa League, losing 2-1 to Barcelona. Before that though they had won a group that included Lazio and Marseille. They've also had to play two qualifying rounds in this season's Champions League. Wins have come against Zalgiris and Olimpija Ljubljana with three games won to nil and a 2-2 away draw in Zalgiris. The Turkish side are impressive on the road in European games with no losses in their last eight matches. That includes games against Rangers, Lazio, Marseille and Barcelona. After two Super Lig games they are fourth with four points from two games and no goals conceded. We go for them to get an away win here.