Dundalk -v- Molde: Where can I watch it and what do I need to know?

Dundalk will make history on Thursday night as they become the first Irish club ever to appear in two separate Europa League group stages.

Molde FK of Norway are the opponents at Tallaght Stadium in a group that also contains 2018/19 runners-up Arsenal and Rapid Wien of Austria.

Filippo Giovagnoli’s side sealed passage to the groups, matching the achievement of Stephen Kenny’s side in 2016, thanks to wins over Inter d’Escaldes, Sheriff Tiraspol and KÍ.

A 3-1 victory over Faroese side KÍ at the Aviva Stadium earlier this month came courtesy of goals from Sean Murray, Dan Cleary and Daniel Kelly.

Their Nordic cousins Molde will prove a much sterner test, however, and Dundalk will go into the game as underdogs despite having home advantage.

History is in Dundalk’s favour, however: they drew with AZ Alkmaar in their first group game last time out, and won their first home tie, in Tallaght, against Maccabi Haifa.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is 5.55pm.

Where is the match?

Tallaght Stadium, Dublin 24.

Who is the referee?

Petri Viljanen from Finland takes charge of the game.

Are there tickets available?

Ye mad?

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live in the Republic of Ireland on Virgin Media 2 and BT Sport 1.

Can I stream it online?

Republic of Ireland residents can watch the game on the Virgin Media Player here.

Who are they key players to watch?

He hasn’t always been first choice in his two years at Oriel Park but with goals against Sheriff and KÍ under his belt, Sean Murray has become something of a talisman for Dundalk in this competition.

The former Ireland under-21 midfielder has finally found consistent fitness and has flourished in the advanced midfield role, keeping out Patrick McEleney in the process.

Opposite Murray in the Molde midfield will be the vastly-experienced Magnus Wolf Eikrem, who returned to Molde in 2018 after a spell in MLS with Seattle Sounders.

The former Manchester United trainee was key in obtaining Molde’s first league title for five years last season, and he’ll look to set the tempo in a technically-strong visiting outfit.

Team news:

Nathan Oduwa and Dane Massey miss out for Dundalk but Daniel Kelly, who scored the clincher against KÍ, has been passed fit to take his place on the bench.

Leke James, Fredrik Sjolstad, Henry Wingo and Kristoffer Haraldseid all miss out for Molde.

Read Andrew Dempsey’s full match preview here.

Betting:

Dundalk 9/2; Draw 16/5; Molde 1/2.