Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to stay perfect in Group H of the UEFA Europa League as they host Molde on Thursday. The German side has eased past everyone in the group and should be set for another comfortable victory over the Norwegians.
Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying a superb campaign as they are yet to taste defeat across all competitions this season. They are sitting two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and have won all five of their fixtures in the Europa League.
The German side claimed a 2-0 victory at Hacken in their previous Europa League fixture with Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick getting the goals. However, we’re held to a 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart last weekend with Florian Wirtz netting a second half equaliser.
Bayer Leverkusen have been near perfect at BayeArena this season as they often do their best work in front of their fans. Xabi Alonso’s men have claimed some one-sided home victories in the Europa League, easing past Hacken 4-0 before running out 5-1 winners over Qarabag.
With Bayer Leverkusen already securing top spot in Group H, it is a battle between Molde and Qarabag for second place. The Norwegians currently have the advantage due to a superior goal difference but must secure the win on Thursday to progress.
Molde played out a 2-2 draw with Qarabag in their previous Europa League fixture with Kristian Eriksen netting a brace. That result is part of a good run of form for Erling Moe’s men, who are unbeaten in the last six matches across all competitions and triumphed 1-0 over Bodo/Glimt in a domestic fixture last weekend.
The Norwegians have also shown some quality on their recent travels, winning their last three away matches across all competitions. However, they had suffered two straight defeats prior to that winning run.
How the bookies view it
Bayer Leverkusen are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 1/3 by BetVictor. An unlikely victory for Molde is valued at 8/1 by Unibet while a draw is set at odds of 9/2 by Willi Hill.
Head to head
Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 2-1 victory over Molde in the reverse fixture back in October.
Players to watch
After a mini goal drought, Victor Boniface is back among the goals having found the net in three of the last four matches across all competitions. The striker will be the one to watch on Thursday and is priced at 9/10 by Betfred to get on the score sheet.
Molde have spread their goals across the team this season but Fredrik Gulbrandsen often features in attack and could be worth keeping an eye on. The forward has four goals in his last eight matches and is priced at 9/2 with Paddy Power to find the net on Thursday.
Anything else catch the eye?
Bayer Leverkusen have seen over 3.5 goals in their last two Europa League home matches and a repeat is priced at 11/10 with BetVictor. They have also scored in both halves in the two fixtures and a similar pattern is priced at 10/11 with Coral.
The Germans have won both halves in their last two Europa League home matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 2/1 with BoyleSports. Given the dominant nature of those results, a -2 handicap could be considered at 8/5 with bet365.
This UEFA Europa League match between Bayer Leverkusen and Molde will be played on Dec 14, 2023 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Bayer Leverkusen vs Molde prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.