Malmo FF vs CFR Cluj Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Malmo and Cluj reconvene in Sweden on Wednesday night with a place in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League on offer to the winners. The victors will face either Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria or Hungarian champions MOL Vidi, with that tie level at 0-0 so the door is opening up towards at least the play-off round for one of these two clubs.

That side is much more likely to be Malmo after they won the 1st Leg 1-0 in Romania. They were underdogs going into that game so Carlos Strandberg’s goal has really seized the advantage for the Swedes and they will be strongly expected to finish the job here in front of their own fans.

It has been a year of two halves already for Malmo. They made an abysmal start to their title defence in Sweden and almost certainly won’t be in this competition next year. However a managerial switch and the appointment of Uwe Rosler has really turned their campaign around. The former Brentford boss has guided Malmo to 6 wins and a draw in his 7 games at the helm and he will certainly be eyeing up a possible run to the group stage of this competition.

Cluj had similar hopes but will need a vastly improved performance here. They’ve really not got going yet this season, with some poor displays where they’ve looked vastly short in the final third. They’ve only managed to draw their opening two league games so it has been a poor start to their title defence and just 2 goals scored in 4 competitive matches this term doesn’t exactly bode well going into a game where they simply have to score to stand any chance of staying in the competition.

Therefore Malmo are certainly the form team and with home advantage they look the more likely winners. They’ve been good at both ends of the pitch under Rosler, scoring over 2 goals per game on average under him whilst conceding just 0.43 per game. They only need to keep a clean sheet to secure progress here and you wouldn’t bet against them doing that with Cluj looking short up top.

The Romanians will have to take risks as this one progresses and that should open up the space Malmo need to land a killer blow. Overall backing a Home Win looks like it could be the smart move here.

Cluj’s problems in the final third and Malmo’s solid defensive form suggests going for Malmo & Under 2.5 Goals might be worth considering and all of Cluj’s last 9 competitive games have produced under 2.5 goals in total.