Hibernian vs Molde Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Molde will make the 600 mile jaunt down from Norway for this Europa League qualifier which could land them a fixture in the next round against either Dinamo Minsk from Belarus or Zenit St. Petersburg from Russia, two heavyweight opponents. This is the first time Hibs have got this far in the tournament since 2010 and will be eager to better their record of that year by getting to the Europa League play-off round for the first time ever.

To put it into a word, Hibernian have been “crazy” in the Europa League this season. Four matches played, three wins and already 24 goals scored for and against the club. The neutrals at their games have definitely been getting their money’s worth so far this season. After a penalty loss to Brondby knocked them out of the competition in 2016/17, which they qualified for by winning the Scottish Cup while still in the Championship, Hibs managed to get themselves back into the competition last year by finishing fourth, narrowly behind Rangers.

The green side of Edinburgh has been preparing for this big European push over the summer by bringing back last year’s fan favourites Florian Kamberi and Ryan MacLaren. Despite only playing 29 games between them last season, they managed to bag 17 goals towards the tail end of the season, so it was crucial that the Hibees got those pivotal parts of their strike force back under contract for this massive season. MacLaren hardly seemed like he’d left when he returned to the pitch against Motherwell at the weekend. The Australian almost even got a goal on his second loan debut for the club and generally looked lively playing alongside Oli Shaw, Martin Boyle and Lewis Stevenson. This will be a hugely positive sight for Hibs fans as they have managed to get most of last year’s fantastic band back together and have begun to make their mark on Europe in the few games they have played already, with Kamberi, Stevenson, John McGinn and new boy Stevie Mallan all grabbing goals.

Their electric form and lack of shyness in front of goal will absolutely be an asset for Hibernian as they try to break down the formidable Molde defence.

The Norwegians have kept four clean sheets in their last eight matches and will be looking to continue this steeliness against their Scottish opponents. They also have showed real ruthlessness in front of goal, with recent wins seeing them score 3 twice, 4 once and 5 twice. Their away form has improved lately with a draw and a win in their last two games away from home but before that they only won one of their last eight on someone else’s patch. Molde finished 2nd in the Norwegian Eliteserien last year but find themselves below their expectations sitting at fourth and with a poor 2-2 draw to 13th place Lillestrom, they aren’t quite the great team of last year but have still won six of their last eight games.

This match is an extremely tough one to call due to the unpredictable high-scoring nature of Hibernian’s recent European matches, coupled with Molde’s usual formidable nature being questioned at times this season. Hibs have waited years for another good opportunity at Europe and with them already garnering fantastic results plus a 3-0 weekend victory, we are going to back a draw with quite a few goals. This is Molde’s 6th European campaign in nine years, so they are no stranger to a tough away Europa League tie, but they will have a problem or two to deal with when faced against Hibs’ ‘throw caution to the wind’ attack, therefore we see this one finishing level.