The title race and the fight for European football is still on, but Eliteserien is unpredictable. In the gameweek before the international break none of the top seven won. It’s been a while, so let’s recap and look at the big team news ahead of GW25:
Kristiansund BK vs. Rosenborg
Christophe Psyche set the tone with a poor back-pass in a shocking 5-0 defeat at Tromsø. Jesper Isaksen was sent off for a crunching tackle and will be joined on the sidelines this week by Amidou Diop, suspended for the second time this season after a sixth booking. Amahl Pellegrino’s scoring run for his new team finally ended after five games.
Rosenborg missed the suspended Birger Meling and injured Tore Reginiussen in a 2-1 loss at Haugesund. Meling will be back for this game, but Reginiussen is again a big doubt. Bjørn Johnsen controlled Pål Andre Helland’s pass and equalised. Marius Lundemo and Anders Trondsen are suspended. Rosenborg face a visit from Sporting in midweek.
Vålerenga vs. Stabæk
Adam Larsen Kwarasey is back and impressed in goal against Odd, so Kristoffer Klaesson’s owners might have to find a different stopper. Bård Finne was excellent and scored Vålerenga’s goal, set up by Matthias Vilhjalmsson. Only a late wonder goal denied them an impressive win.
Stabæk kept a second clean sheet in a row when Viking came to town, with Andreas Hanche-Olsen among the bonus points again. No side in the bottom half has conceded fewer goals than Stabæk’s 32, can they be the latest to frustrate Vålerenga in Oslo? They’ll have to do so without the suspended Emil Bohinen.
Molde vs. FK Haugesund
Magnus Wolff Eikrem is unavailable here due to an ankle injury and it sounds unlikely that he’ll return next week either. Andreas Linde was between the sticks for Molde for the first time since GW9 and made some stunning saves in the goalless draw with Brann, including one with his face. Molde showcased some of their intricate football in the final third, but Leke James and Kristoffer Haugen fluffed their lines.
Haugeund picked apart Rosenborg on the counter before the international break. Martin Samuelsen made it consecutive double figure hauls, playing in Niklas Sandberg to open the scoring. Samuelsen cushioned in the winning volley from a Mikkel Desler cross.
Ranheim vs. Odd
Vegard Østraat Erlien was lively against Sarpsborg, having grabbed a late equaliser against Vålerenga in the previous game. Ranheim had more of the ball but none of the big chances as they slumped to a disappointing 2-0 loss which left them bottom of the table.
An out of form Vålerenga seemed determined to get something at Odd, and despite Sondre Rossbach’s best efforts in goal it looked like they’d become the first visiting team to win in Skien. Deep into second half injury time, cue Birk Risa; the left back hammered a sweet strike from outside the box into the top corner, with Tobias Lauritsen claiming the assist. On reflection, it was still a disappointing result for Odd as none of their title rivals won. Espen Ruud is still hampered by a groin injury for this visit to the team with the worst home record in the league.
Strømsgodset vs. Lillestrøm
Strømsgodset may have fallen into the relegation playoff place, but they remained above rivals Mjøndalen in the table after their 1-1 draw. After a shaky start to his Godset career, Prosper Mendy has come into his own and his cross set up Lars-Jørgen Salvesen, another mid-season addition who has impressed, to score an excellent looping header.
Lillestrøm arguably had the better chances as they drew 0-0 with Bodø/Glimt. Thomas Lehne Olsen was dangerous as ever but couldn’t beat the keeper. Tobias Salquist picked up maximum bonus points a week after scoring a crucial own goal.
Viking FK vs. Tromsø
Viking hit the bar twice against Stabæk, but neither side could score. Runar Ullaland Hove nearly scored his second goal in as many games, while Kristian Thorstvedt came close with a left foot volley. Tommy Høiland and Iven Austbø are doubts for this match.
Tromsø bounced back from a humiliating derby defeat in the best possible way, by beating Kristiansund 5-0. Fitim Azemi scored a brace; the first a gift, the second a header from Eric Smith’s cross. Morten Gamst Pedersen picked up a pair of assists, giving the ball to Lasse Nilsen to score a deflected low shot and finding Anders Jensen from a corner. Robert Taylor teed up Runar Espejord to complete the rout. Jacob Karlstrøm was in goal for TIL’s first clean sheet since GW14.
Sarpsborg 08 vs. Brann
Sarpsborg secured a big win on their trip to Ranheim, although Alexandre Letellier narrowly avoided spilling a cross into own net. Kristoffer Larsen did his best Arjen Robben impression to give Sarpsborg the lead, with Kyle Lafferty’s assist his first attacking contribution in Norway. Larsen then turned provider for Magnar Ødegaard. The defender has two goals and as many assists since joining from AIK, while the much changed defence seems to have found some solidity in Niklas Gunnarsson and Bjørn Inge Utvik.
Brann were much better than in the previous season’s home fixture against Molde, in which Erling Braut Håland scored four goals. This time Taijo Teniste hit the bar and Gilbert Koomson tested the keeper, but it ended 0-0 and Brann’s 11 home goals are an Eliteserien low. Daouda Bamba has been suspended by the club for disciplinary reasons.
Bodø/Glimt vs. Mjøndalen
Ricardo Friedrich stood out in a game of few chances when Bodø/Glimt drew 0-0 with Lillestrøm. Jens Petter Hauge shot just wide as B/G were shut out for the first time since their 6-0 loss to Vålerenga in GW14.
Fredrik Brustad gave Mjøndalen the lead against Strømsgodset with an acrobatic close range finish, hooked in from William Sell’s header, but it didn’t last long and the draw left Mjøndalen just one point off the bottom of the table.
