Molde will hope to distance themselves from the relegation zone when they face visitors Stromsgodset at Aker Stadion on Saturday in their 15th Eliteserien game of the season.

The 13th-placed hosts’ tally of 14 points is only one more than 14th-placed HamKam, who occupy the league’s relegation playoff spot, while Stromsgodset are second last in 15th place with six points following their 3-2 loss against Tromso on July 13.

Match preview

Molde were beaten 4-2 by Fredrikstad on July 12, a game in which they took a two-goal lead in the 65th minute but conceded four times from the 81st minute onwards – including two own goals – and lost 4-2.

Boss Per-Mathias Hogmo will be alarmed by his side’s showings in the top flight this term, especially as the team had finished fifth in their prior two seasons and have ended in the top two in six of their past six campaigns.

MFK’s return of 1.3 goals per match in the league falls significantly below the 2.1 figure they averaged in 2024, though they have netted at least twice in three of their four most recent outings.

Molde come into Saturday’s clash on the back of three consecutive defeats, and they have conceded 10 goals in their last four fixtures.

The hosts’ displays at home have been poor, with the club on a losing streak of four games at Aker Stadion, conceding nine and scoring five in that time.

As for Stromsgodset, they managed to fight back from 2-0 down against Tromso to draw level in the 68th minute, but they ultimately lost when Leo Cornic scored the winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The visitors have played a game fewer than their hosts, but they have been defeated in each of their last eight matches and have lost 10 of their past 11 in the league.

Head coach Dag-Eilev Fagermo’s side have conceded at least two goals in eight of their past nine outings in all competitions, and they have not found the back of the net in five of their last six.

Godset did manage to beat Molde 1-0 in the sides' most recent encounter in December 2024, but they failed to win any of their prior seven, losing on six occasions.

Stromsgodset have lost their past three on the road by a cumulative score of 9-2, though they did triumph in three of their previous five away games.

Molde Norwegian Eliteserien form:

Molde form (all competitions):

Stromsgodset Norwegian Eliteserien form:

Stromsgodset form (all competitions):

Team News

Molde only have two fitness concerns, with goalkeeper Albert Posiadala not scheduled to return until late July due to a hand issue, while midfielder Kristian Eriksen’s knee injury set to sideline him until September.

Shot-stopper Jacob Karlstrom could be protected by centre-backs Casper Oyvann and Eirik Haugan.

Emil Breivik, Mats Moller Daehli and Marcus Andre Kaasa may play in a midfield three, while Eirik Hestad, Sondre Milian Gulbrandsen and Fredrik Granaas are candidates to start up front.

Opponents Stromsgodset will be without attackers Eirik Ulland Andersen, Elias Hoff Melkersen and Jostein Ekeland on the weekend.

Given the absences in the forward line, the visitors can be expected to station Marko Farji, Alie Conteh and Gustav Wikheim together as a trio in attack.

Fredrik Ardraa, Herman Stengel and Johan Johanessen Bakke are likely to play in midfield ahead of central defenders Jesper Taaje and Gustav Valsvik.

Molde possible starting lineup:

Karlstrom; Linnes, Oyvann, Haugan, Kabini; Breivik, Daehli, Kaasa; Hestad, Gulbrandsen, Granaas

Stromsgodset possible starting lineup:

Bratveit; Vilsvik, Taaje, Valsvik, Dahl; Bakke, Stengel, Ardraa; Farji, Conteh, Wikheim

We say: Molde 2-1 Stromsgodset

Both sides have been in poor form and their desperate need for points could lead to a low-scoring clash.

Molde have often emerged as victors against Stromsgodset, so perhaps they will narrowly claim all three points on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Lewis Nolan

Previews by email