Group stage.
Round 1. Group I.
22.03.2025 20:00
The Norwegian national football team will start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with an away match against Moldova. Can the Norwegians confirm their status as favorites by winning with a two-goal margin? Read our prediction for this game, which looks at the statistical trends and selects several betting options.
Get Your Sign-Up Bonus!Moldova
The Moldovan team is unlikely to succeed in the qualifying group, although there are no top teams in the group, apart from Norway, Israel and Estonia. One more team will be determined by the results of the Nations League play-offs. Moldova played in the group stage of the Nations League in Division D and managed to achieve promotion.The Moldovans won three out of four matches against Malta and Andorra and took first place in the group.
Norway
Norway has not played in a major tournament since the Erling Holand era, but that could change at the 2026 World Cup. The level of opponents in the Nations League allows Norway to expect success.Ståle Solbakken's team confidently won their group in Division B, with four wins, one draw and one loss in six games against Austria, Slovenia and Kazakhstan. Norway scored 15 goals in six games.
H2H Meetings
The last time the teams met was in 2014, when Norway beat Moldova 2:1 in a friendly match. Norway has won four out of five games against Moldova, with the other being a draw.
Bookmakers' Options
According to the bookmaker 1xbet, Norway is the clear favorite for the upcoming match. You can bet on Norway to win at odds of 1.25. You can bet on a draw for 6.05, and Moldova winning for 13.00.
The match is expected to be a top match in terms of the total number of goals scored. The bet TO (2.5) is offered at odds of 1.77, and the bet TU (2.5) at 2.08.
Expert Betting Tips
Norway is much better than Moldova and will probably win the upcoming game. However, we don't expect Norway to win by a landslide. The Moldovan national team has recently improved, and they have even drawn with strong opponents like the Czech Republic and Poland. We think Norway will win, but it will be a hard-fought victory.
Our picks:
W2 & TU (3.5) for 1.85 at 1xbet
TU (2.5) for 2.08 at bet365
CS 0:2 for 5.25 at betway
Other predictions
