Sarpsborg vs Malmo FF Predictions

Sarpsborg head into game week 3 as the surprise package in Group I. Many fancied the Norwegians to struggle however they currently sit top of the group by virtue of goals scored as all 4 teams are on 3 points after 2 games each. Sarpsborg kicked off their campaign with a disappointing 3-1 away defeat against Besiktas, with their solo goal coming as a 90th minute consolation. Many thought this would set the tone for what was to come however Sarpsborg hit back, beating Genk 3-1 at home in impressive style with a dominant second half display after going into half time 1-1.

Malmo also started their Europa League group stage campaign with a defeat, a 2-0 loss away at Genk in a game they didn’t ever look in. In the second match they upped the intensity and run out impressive 2-0 victors against a solid and experience Besiktas side on home soil. An own goal in the 53rd minute put them in front and when they were awarded a 76th minute penalty, Rosenberg duly converted to double their lead and give them a much needed three points.

This is the first season Sarpsborg have been in the Europa League and they had to go through 4 qualifying rounds to get this far, at home they won 3 of those 4 beating IBV 2-0, St Gallen 1-0 and Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-1 whilst drawing against Rijeka 1-1 before beating the Croatian side 1-0 away from home.

This is the first time Malmo have been in the Europa League since 2013, they had to come through a tricky 2 legged tie against Danish side Midtjylland to progress to the group stages. Away from home Malmo aren’t the greatest, apart from their 2-0 away win in Denmark on qualifying for the group stages, their only other win in their last 8 away games came at Scottish side Hibernian who they beat 7-0.

This seems to be another game where the bookmakers have priced the name rather than the form, with Malmo being the favourites here. This doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when you consider Sarpsborg have beaten equally if not better sides than Malmo in this season’s Europa League already. The big price on the home side does let us play it safer, and we shall be backing Sarpsborg on the draw no bet market here. We are not overly convinced on the home sides defence and can see that being breached here, and with their last 2 home wins being 3-1, we are also backing Sarpsborg 3-1 on the correct score market.