On Thursday evening, Zenit host Molde in the Europa League play-off round first leg, as both teams eye a spot in the group stages of the competition.
Zenit recorded an incredible 8-1 win in extra-time to overcome a four-goal deficit against Dinamo Minsk in the last round. Molde recorded a more comfortable 3-0 aggregate victory over Scottish team Hibernian in the last round.
Zenit actually have a highly inconsistent record in the Europa League of late and have suffered defeat in three of their last six games in Europe’s secondary competition. The home side’s recent games in the Europa League have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five outings.
Despite a recent inconsistent record in the Europa League, the Russian side has suffered just one home defeat in 27 matches. In fact, Zenit have won ten of their last 12 home games in the competition.
Molde heads into this clash in high spirits, as the Norwegian side are five games unbeaten in the Europa League, having recorded four wins in the process.
The visitors have been highly effective at both ends of the field in this year’s competition. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has scored at least twice in four of their last five matches.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, they have kept clean sheets in their last four games in the competition.
However, Molde’s recent away record in Europe’s secondary’s competition is not great, as they won just three of their last 11 games on their travels in the Europa League, including winning just one of their last five away matches.
Their recent away games have been relatively high scoring in the Europa League, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last eight matches.
Forebet predicts that Zenit will record a victory in a low scoring clash, which will give the Russian side a big chance of making the group stages of the competition.