Molde vs Galatasaray Predictions

• Galatasaray have kept five straight clean sheets, winning four of those games
• Molde have lost their first leg of their last two Champions League ties to HJK and KI
• Mauro Icardi has 17 goals across his last 14 appearances for the visitors

Galatasaray close in on Champions League return

Turkish giants Galatasaray haven’t made the group stage of the Champions League since 2019, falling short in 2021 with a 7-2 aggregate loss to PSV. They’re on the brink of a return, as they head into Wednesday’s visit to Molde as the favourites to secure a win and a place in the competition proper.

Molde have battled past HJK and KI in the previous rounds but Wednesday brings a serious step up in terms of quality.

Icardi can put Molde to the sword

Galatasaray had a tricky time in their opening game of the season, drawing 2-2 with Zalgiris in the first leg of their second qualifying-round clash. However, they won 1-0 against the Lithuanian side to progress, the first of a five-game run without conceding a goal.

Molde needed extra-time to see off KI in the last round and the weekend brought a 0-0 draw with Valerenga domestically. The hosts have now won just once in their last four games, while they’ve lost the first leg of their previous two ties in this competition.

Galatasaray have won four of their last five games and the quality they possess should prove too much for the hosts. In Mauro Icardi they have a proven finisher who will cause problems for the Norwegian outfit.

Icardi has three goals across his last two games and he has an incredible 17 goals across his last 14 matches for the Turkish side. He’s great value to score anytime against a side that would rarely meet a finisher of that ability.