Ferencvaros to take first-leg advantage against Molde
Molde FK vs Ferencvaros TC - 23/09/2020
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The Champions League playoff round kicks off on Wednesday night for Norway’s Molde and Hungary’s Ferencvaros playing at the Aker Stadion. The two clubs are just one step away from qualifying for the Champions League group stage and will meet over two legs.
Ferencvaros took a big scalp in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. The Hungarians defeated Celtic in Glasglow, 2-1, and were deserving of their victory. Ferencvaros also picked up qualifying round wins versus Djurgardens and Dinamo Zagreb.
Molde, like Ferencvaros, had to start the Champions League in the first qualifying round. They came through all three qualifying rounds with wins against KuPS, NK Celje, and Qarabag. Their victory over Qarabag came on penalties, 6-5, after a nil-nil match.
Unlike the previous Champions League qualifying rounds, the playoff round will feature two-legged series. The two-legged tie should see the stronger team of the two progress.
Molde are nearing the final part of the Norwegian Eliteserien season. They are in second place in the Eliteserien but fell off the pace for the title thanks to up and down form in August. The Norwegians are coming off of a loss to Valerenga, 2-1, last weekend.
Ferencvaros claimed a 6-1 Hungarian Cup win at the weekend against Rackeve. The Green and White are in fine form compared to Molde. They won their last three games in all competitions.
The Hungarians have made it a point to build a strong squad that can make the Champions League group stage. Manager Serhiy Rebrov has a mixture of Hungarian and foreign players in his squad. The combination of talent has made Ferencvaros the top side in Hungary.
Tokmac Nguen has been Rebrov’s top scorer in the Champions League qualifying rounds. Nguen scored three goals in three qualifying matches and claimed the winner versus Celtic. Ferencvaros average 2.0 goals per game in the Champions League qualifying rounds while conceding an average of 0.67 goals.
Molde scored a combined seven goals in three Champions League qualifying matches. The goals total is a bit misleading as five of those seven strikes came against KuPS in the first qualifying round. All seven goals were scored by separate players.
Nigerian forward Leke James leads Molde in scoring in the Eliteserien. James has bagged seven goals. Etzaz Muzafar Hussair has scored six league goals.
So, which side will get the upper hand in the Champions League playoff round? Ferencvaros are the stronger team on paper and in good form.
The Green Eagles should take the spoils and return to Hungary for the second leg with an away goals advantage. Expect the two sides to both score with over 2.5 goals going into the back of the net.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
352738
2
1 - 2
2.78
7°
3.64
2.10
3.65
3.64
-1
1
1
3 - 3(0 - 1)
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