Molde entertain Galatasaray on Wednesday for an UEFA Champions League play-offs clash at Aker Stadion.
Molde won their last Champions League qualifying tie, beating KÍ 3-2 on aggregate in the 3rd qualifying round. They overcame a one-goal first-leg deficit with a 2-0 extra-time victory in the return match at home. Molde scored once in the additional period. Kristian Eriksen and Martin Linnes were on the scoresheet in the second-leg win. They are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions (W1 D2 L0).
Galatasaray won their last Champions League qualifying tie, beating Olimpija 4-0 on aggregate in the 3rd qualifying round. After earning a 3-0 victory in the first leg, they ran out 1-0 victors in the return match at home. Mauro Icardi was the only player to score in the second-leg win. They are undefeated in their last 12 games in all competitions (W10 D2 L0).
Galatasaray are making their first appearance on the European stage since the 2021/2022 Europa League, falling in the round of 16 to Barcelona.
Kristian Eriksen, Martin Linnes, Ola Brynhildsen, and Magnus Eikrem share the scoring lead for Molde in European qualifying this season with one goal each. With two goals each, Dries Mertens and Halil Dervisoglu are the leading scorers in European qualifying for Galatasaray.
The visitors have been racking up clean sheets recently, as they haven’t conceded in their last five matches in all competitions. Žalgiris were the last team to score on the Cim Bom Bom, netting in a July Champions League contest.
Over two Champions League qualifying contests on home soil this season, Molde are perfect. Molde are looking to extend an 11-match home unbeaten streak (W10 D1 L0) in all competitions.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, are undefeated in their two qualifying matches on their travels. The Cim Bom Bom will be out to extend a six-match away unbeaten streak (W4 D2 L0).
In their last six matches in all competitions, Molde have won three, drawn two and lost one. They scored eight and conceded four over that stretch, scoring first in four of the six contests. They had one first-half goal, while their opponents netted once in the first 45 minutes. Galatasaray have won four and drawn two in their last six. They scored nine and conceded two in that stretch, netting first in four of the six. They had four goals in the first half, while their opponents failed to find the net before the break.
Highlights
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD (All competitions):
Matches won: 0
Draws: 0
Lost: 0
