Molde vs Sarpsborg 08 Prediction: The hosts will win

In their upcoming match against Sarpsborg 08, Molde will be aiming for their third consecutive league win, making it a must-win situation to maintain their momentum and climb up the table. You'll find previews, possible starting 11, expert tips, and odds below.

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Molde's season started poorly, with only one point from their first four matches. However, they have shown resilience and improvement since then, putting together a good run of form and currently sitting in 5th place with 26 points from 15 matches. While they are still 12 points behind the league leaders Bodo/Glimt, Molde's recent performances suggest they are determined to close the gap and keep their title hopes alive. A victory would not only boost their confidence but also help them keep up the pressure on the teams ahead of them in the standings.

However, Molde will have to cope without the services of key players Magnus Eikrem and Martin Ellingsen, who are still recovering from injuries. Despite these absences, there are no suspended players in the squad, which is a positive for the team.

One player who could be crucial in Molde's attacking efforts is Eric Kitolano, who has been performing well and recently found the net in a convincing 4-0 win over Valerenga. His contributions and the team's collective efforts will be essential in securing the three points against Sarpsborg.

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Sarpsborg 08 have had a mixed season so far, showing promising performances early on but facing challenges as the season progresses. The team started strongly with just one loss in their first eight games. However, their form has slowed down recently, and they find themselves in 7th place, five points behind Molde, albeit with a game in hand.

In their last match, Sarpsborg suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Ham-Kam in an exciting encounter at their home ground. Although they managed to come back from a goal down twice, they ultimately fell short as Ham-Kam secured the win. This result showcases both their fighting spirit and their vulnerability in defense, as they conceded a significant number of goals in their last two away matches.

With 13 points from 14 matches, Sarpsborg is currently sitting just above the relegation zone. They must be cautious of their defensive weaknesses, especially in away matches, to prevent further heavy defeats.

Unfortunately, Sarpsborg will have to cope without the services of Magnar Odegaard and Joachim Thomassen due to long-term injuries, which may impact the team's overall performance and depth in certain areas.

To strengthen their squad, Sarpsborg recently made signings, including young striker Henrik Meister from Fremad Amager and Rafik Zekhnini from Molde. However, both players are set to join the team when the transfer window opens on 1st August, so they will not be available for immediate selection.

Molde - Jacob Karlstrøm, Eirik Haugan, Martin Bjørnbak, Anders Hagelskjaer, Erling Knudtzon, Kristian Eriksen, Emil Breivik, Magnus Grødem, Kristoffer Haugen, Eric Kitolano, Ola Brynhildsen.

Sarpsborg 08 - Anders Kristiansen, Eirik Wichne, Bjørn Inge Utvik, Anton Skipper, Joachim Soltvedt, Serge-Junior Ngouali, Victor Torp, Mikkel Maigaard, Jeppe Andersen, Ramon Pascal Lundqvist, Simon Tibbling.

Given their history of strong performances against Sarpsborg and their current form, Molde is expected to maintain their superiority in this matchup. They will likely aim for another convincing win, potentially with multiple goals scored, to continue their pursuit of the title and further consolidate their position in the league standings.

• HT/FT: W1/W1 for 2.20 odds
• HT: Over 1.5 for 1.90 odds
• Total 1: Over 2.5 for 1.99 odds