Molde and Mlada Boleslav have their Conference League fates in their hands when they face off in the league phase's final matchday at Aker Stadion on Thursday.
Although the home side are two places outside the top 24, a positive outcome all but guarantees participation in the knockout round playoffs, while their 22nd-placed opponents could avoid elimination by notching a point in Norway.
Match preview
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Despite failing to win since the opening matchday of the revamped league phase of Europe's third-tier competition, Molde's participation could continue in 2025, albeit via the playoffs.
The Norwegian side, currently outside the top eight (which guarantees passage to the round of 16) and the top 24 (with clubs placed ninth to 24th competing in a two-legged playoff to determine the other eight last-16 participants), need a win to enhance their prospects of involvement in the playoffs.
Erling Moe was jettisoned after a disappointing domestic league campaign in which they placed fifth, leaving the final match on the continent in the hands of caretakers Trond Strande and Eirik Maeland.
Together, the interim bosses aim to end the club's four-match winless run (three defeats), having guided the club to a 2-2 draw at HJK last week.
Despite ending Molde's losing sequence, there was obvious disappointment at throwing away a two-goal advantage in Helsinki, with the latter concession coming in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
Victory on Thursday could be enough for the 26th-placed Norwegian giants (four points) to sneak into the top 24 spots, given the raft of clubs on seven points (Real Betis, Panathinaikos, Vikingur, Borac) and six (Omonia, Mlada Boleslav, Hearts and Istanbul Basaksehir).
Their Czechia opponents aim to avoid the possibility of dropping out of the safety net spots when they travel to Norway.
Andreas Brannstrom's men had a wretched start to the competition, losing three games on the trot, only to claim maximum points in matchdays four and five to rise above Molde in the table and come within 90 minutes of continuing their European journey for two more games at least.
Having ended a 17-year absence from European tournament play this term, Bolka aim to secure at least a point to potentially qualify for February's knockout playoffs (depending on results elsewhere), or three points to guarantee advancement regardless of other outcomes.
However, the travelling support will be cautious given the club's two road losses to Noah (0-2) and Vitoria Guimaraes (1-2) in matchdays one and three, respectively.
Mlada Boleslav's response to Sunday's domestic league defeat against Sigma Olomouc (1-3), which ended a five-match winning streak, will be crucial, even though the result had no immediate impact on their aim to play in the Chance Liga's championship round.
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Team News
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Molde will assess Johan Bakke before Thursday, but Veton Berisha (muscle) and Casper Oyvann (knee) are expected to miss out due to injury.
Having notched 50% of the home side's six goals, Frederik Ihler aims to add to his three strikes on Thursday.
Conversely, the Norwegians need improved execution from Ola Brynhildsen (one goal), who has failed to convert five big chances heading into the final matchday of the league phase.
Although Mlada Boleslav have no reported injuries for Thursday, Jan Seda and David Kozel miss out, given their absence from the group-stage squad.
While Patrik Vydra (two goals) searches for more goals, the Czechia side also need others stepping up in the attacking third for one of the competition's low scorers (four).
Molde possible starting lineup:
Posiadala; Linnes, Bjornbak, Lund, Haugen; Eriksen, Breivik, Enggard, Kaasa; Granaas, Ihler
Mlada Boleslav possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Kral, Suchy, Kralik; Marecek, Vydra, Sakala, Stransky, John; Ladra; Kusej
We say: Molde 1-0 Mlada Boleslav
Molde (six goals) and Mlada Boleslav (four) have not pulled up trees in the attacking third in this season's revamped league phase, and that should reflect in the final score, with the hosts backed to record a marginal win to inflict a third consecutive road loss on the Czechia side.
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