There are just two Norwegian Eliteserien fixtures this weekend, one of which features teams at the top and bottom the table. Molde welcome Sarpsborg to the Aker Stadion on Sunday 21st July.
As things stand ahead of the weekend, Molde are top of the league with 30 points from fifteen matches played. That leaves them 1 point clear of Bodo Glimt and Odd who each have 29 points. Sarpsborg find themselves at the wrong end of the table and they are in 15th place with 13 points, which is the relegation zone.
You must go back to the 5th of July to find the last time Molde were in action in the Eliteserien and they were held to a 2-2 draw at Odd. Considering Odd’s current position in the league, it was not a bad point.
However, trends show Molde have won only two of their last five Eliteserien games and have been held in each of their last two. Prior to the draw with Odd, they were held 1-1 at home by Brann. Nonetheless, Molde remain tough to beat at home and they have remained undefeated in their last eleven home Eliteserien matches.
During that time Molde have won nine games and have scored at least once in each of their last seventeen on home soil. Molde have also kept five clean sheets in their last eight home Eliteserien matches, conceding just 2 goals in their last five.
Trends show Sarpsborg have won only two of their fourteen league games this season, which is a very poor record. Last time out they picked up a point in an exciting 3-3 draw at Stabaek, who are just 2 points above them in the table.
Sarpsborg were 2-0 and 3-1 up in that game but could not hold on to the lead to take maximum points. That result means they have failed to win any of their last four Eliteserien games but they have remained undefeated in four of them, winning one.
Away form is awful and trends show Sarpsborg have failed to win any of their last seven on the road. In fact, they have won just one of their last fourteen away from home. Conceding goals has been a problem and Sarpsborg have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven away games, conceding 8 goals in their last four.
Team news and Molde can afford to rest some players in their Europa League tie on Thursday. That should mean Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Leke James and Ohi Omoijuanfo are fit to start the game. Eirik Ulland Andersen is injured.
Sarpsborg are without Jørgen Horn who is expected to be missing for a few weeks with a broken foot. Gaute Höberg Vetti, Bjørn Inge Utvik and Amin Askar are doubtful.
This should be a comfortable win for Molde. They have plenty of attacking fire power to score a few goals and could also come away with a clean sheet.