Matchday 7 of the 2024/25 Europa League group stage between Malmo (Sweden) and Twente (Netherlands) will take place on January 23 at the Eleda Stadium. Malmo vs. Twente: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Predicted lineups for Malmo vs. Twente
Malmo (4-4-2): Joakim Persson – Gabriel Busanello, Nils Setterstrom, Colin Rösler, Jens Stryger Larsen – Hugo Bolin, Otto Rosengren, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Anders Christiansen – Erik Botheim, Søren Rieks.
Twente (4-3-3): Lars Unnerstall – Bart van Rooy, Mees Hilgers, Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, Anass Salah-Eddine – Juri Regeer, Sem Steijn, Michal Sadilek – Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Sam Lammers, Michel Vlap.
Malmo
In the previous round, the Swedish club ended a three-match losing streak in the Europa League by drawing 2-2 with Galatasaray. However, they have lost even the theoretical chance of directly qualifying for the tournament's Round of 16 but are still in contention for a playoff spot. With two matches left in the group stage, Malmo is in 31st place in the Europa League standings, trailing the 24th spot by three points. Despite ending their losing streak, the team failed to keep a clean sheet, conceding in 12 consecutive matches in this tournament. In the current group stage, the club has conceded twice as many goals as they've scored, with a tally of 6:12.
- The team has not won 11 of their last 12 Europa League matches (1 draw, 10 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in five of Malmo's last seven Europa League matches.
- The club failed to score in five of their last six home matches in the Europa League.
Twente
The team once again failed to secure a win in the Europa League, drawing 0-0 with Olympiakos in their previous match. As a result, their winless streak in the second-tier European competition has reached 14 matches (10 draws, 4 losses). Notably, Twente is among the five clubs in the current group stage without a win. The team is tied on points with their upcoming opponent in the Europa League table but is ahead by one position due to a better goal difference, sharing similar tournament prospects. Twente's low scoring rate in the current Europa League campaign is also noteworthy, with only four goals scored, fewer than only two clubs.
- No more than two goals were scored in seven of the team's last eight Europa League matches.
- Twente has not scored more than once in 11 of their last 12 matches in this tournament.
- The club has drawn their last five away matches in the Europa League.
Malmo vs. Twente: Match Prediction
Both teams have struggled in the current Europa League campaign. The upcoming opponents are deservedly in the lower part of the standings, with only one win between them in 12 matches. Notably, Malmo has defensive issues, ranking among the worst defensive teams in the tournament with 12 goals conceded, surpassed by only five teams. Twente, as mentioned earlier, scores very few goals.
Nevertheless, the Dutch team is quite resilient, having not lost in four of their six group stage matches, ending them in draws. Moreover, in all three away matches in the current Europa League campaign, Twente has shared points with their opponents. These opponents were formidable – Manchester United, Nice, and Olympiakos. I believe the visitors will not be defeated this time either. Their upcoming opponent has not won at home in the Europa League for six matches, losing five of them without scoring.
Additionally, Malmo's lack of match practice may impact the outcome. The Swedish championship concluded in November, and the club's last official match was on December 12 in the Europa League against Galatasaray. I am confident that the visitors will extend their unbeaten away run in the second-tier European competition. My prediction – Twente to win or draw