Granada vs Molde
11 March 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Granada
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 8/15 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 10 March
Two of the surprise packages at this stage of the Europa League meet as Granada face Molde hoping to take a lead into the second leg next week.
Table of Contents
Granada Preview – Can Granada handle the tag as favourites having been underdogs up until this point?
For a team who have never played European football prior to this season, Granada are putting many others to shame. The La Liga outfit have made it to the last-16 and have overcome some big obstacles to get here. The most recent, and undoubtedly most impressive, scalp was last time out when getting the better of Napoli. A 2-0 win at home set the foundations for a brave and resilient away performance. Having went a goal down early on, Angel Montoro’s equaliser put the tie firmly in the Spaniards grasp before going on to secure a 3-2 win on aggregate.
Granada are currently 10th in the league and unlikely to qualify for Europe for next season via that route.
Molde Preview – Are Molde able to match their exploits of the previous round to reach the quarter-finals for the first ever time?
It might not be Molde’s first European adventure but it’s the furthest they have reached. And head coach Erling Moe will hope that they can progress even further. A famous 5-3 win on aggregate against Hoffenheim in the round of 32 is their biggest European achievement to date and it was built on an excellent 2-0 away win in the return leg.
You’d have gotten long odds on them progressing to this stage when trailing the Bundesliga outfit 3-1 in their home leg.
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A 4-1 loss in London against Arsenal is the only away defeat of Molde’s European campaign so far. In addition to the win against Hoffenheim they have also beaten Dundalk and draw with Rapid Vienna. That sort of away record will give the Norwegians confidence coming into this game.
Midfielder Erik Andersen is not a prolific scorer by any means but he scored three in the last round including both goals in the away win. What makes it even more remarkable is they were his first European goals of his career. Molde have scored 14 goals as a team in eight Europa League games so far this season.
Granada vs Molde Betting Advice
This is a tie that both teams will feel is favourable to their chances of progressing to the next round. Both have avoided the favourites and traditionally ‘big’ clubs, whilst getting a draw that presents a realistic chance of making the quarter-finals. And history will be made for whoever achieves it.
Key Facts – Granda vs Molde Betting Tip
- Granada have conceded just two goals in five home games in what is their maiden European campaign
- Molde’s defeat to Arsenal remains their only loss away from home in this season’s Europa League
- Whoever progresses from this tie will be competing in the quarter-final of a European competition for the first time
This is a match-up between a team with a strong home record in Europe against a team who are capable on the road. Granada’s win at home to Napoli is one of the results of the tournament so far and one I’m taking the La Liga team to handle the tag of favourites and back it up.
Best Betting Odds for Granada vs Molde
