Molde vs Zenit St Petersburg Predictions

Can Molde end a three game losing streak by claiming a result against Zenit on Thursday night? These two meet in the second leg of their Europa League play-off clash, as they hunt a spot in the group stage. The hosts have an uphill battle as they chase a place in the next round. The Norwegian side lost 3-1 in Russia in the first leg, so they need a big comeback in order to surprise Zenit. Will the hosts shake their awful form, or are they set for another defeat this week?

The hosts come in to this game as massive outsiders, so they bookies aren’t exactly backing their hopes of a comeback. Molde have been on an awful run of form, but they have reason to believe that they can get back in the tie. They’ve claimed four straight wins at home in the Europa League, scoring 12 times across those matches. Their impressive attacking form is what they need to bridge the gap between these two after the first meeting, but the task for Molde will be holding Zenit at bay.

The visitors have won five on the bounce, putting them top of the Russian Premier League. They’re cruising towards the Europa League group stage after their first leg win, and they’ll be hoping to follow that up with an away goal or two in Norway. However, they’re bound to be worried after their last away game in this competition, which saw them lose 4-0 at Dinamo Minsk. Their defence has been a weak spot in recent times, as they’ve conceded in five away games on the spin in this competition, which gives Molde an opportunity going forward.

The hosts will be glad to get back to their home comforts, as they’ve averaged 2.73 goals per game in front of their own fans in the league this season. They’ve scored 73% of their Eliteserien goals at their own ground, and that good form has to be something which gives them confidence. They’ve only twice failed to score more than once at home, with 82% of their matches seeing over 2.5 goals scored.

Zenit are a high scoring side too, and with their defensive issues on the road they may have to get forward to stay ahead. That has us predicting an entertaining game, so we’re going with over 2.5 goals, along with a 2-2 draw between the pair.