In Norway, Bodoe/Glimt hope to maintain their lead at the summit by adding another 3 points to their tally. But the standout fixture for week 15 will see in-form Tromso lock horns with Brann at home.
Saturday 22 July
Molde 5/10 | Draw 33/10 | Sarpsborg 42/10 (18:00)
Molde is hosting Sarpsborg in the opening fixture of the weekend after they demolished Valerenga 4-0 on their home grounds. With the thumping victory at Valerenga, Molde have extended their unbeaten run to four matches and did not concede a goal in their last two games in the league.
As for Sarpsborg, they’re on a three-game losing streak, shipping 11 goals. The home win is the way to go.
Sunday 23 July
HamKam 12/10 | Draw 43/20 | Stabaek 39/20 (17:00)
HamKam have made it back-to-back wins with the 3-2 away win at Sarpsborg in their previous outing but remain just two points out the relegation zone. HamKam have picked up most of their points at home and need to come out focused to clinch all three points.
Stabaek are currently in disappointing form, going seven games without a win and failing to score a goal in all three of their last three games this month. HamKam are tipped to make it three wins in a row.
Haugesund 5/2 | Draw 43/20 | Lillestrom 19/20 (17:00)
Haugesund played an impressive game last time out but came up short after they lost to league leaders Bodoe/Glimt. Haugesund have made their home grounds a fortress where they’ve picked up most of their points this season, and a win would make it a third consecutive victory at home.
Lillestrom have recorded their second consecutive win after their comfortable 4-2 home win against Sandefjord. Lillestrom have found the formula away from home in recent times and a win would make it their sixth consecutive away match without defeat. In what is an exciting matchup between two strong teams, I back Lillestrom to pinch the three points.
Odd 27/20 | Draw 21/10 | Valerenga 18/10 (17:00)
Odd went back to winning ways following two winless matches after they defeated Aalesund 3-0 on their home ground. Odd need to repeat the same performance, dominate possession and play on the front foot as they look to add another three points in the bag.
Valerenga picked up just a single point in their last five fixtures, bringing their winless run to six matches and failed to score in their last two games after they were torn apart 4-0 against Molde. There are some positives for Valerenga as their away form is where they pick up most of their points and need to remain focused on the job at hand in hope of getting anything out of this match. Odd are tipped to win.
Sandefjord 6/1 | Draw 39/10 | Bodoe/Glimt 1/3 (17:00)
Sandefjord face league leaders on the back of a heavy 4-2 defeat away at Lillestrom. Sandefjord are now on a four-match winless run and need to come out with a clear plan and strategy with the home fans behind them in hope of pulling an upset against the number one ranked team in the league.
Bodoe/Glimt, who are league leaders at this point, have flexed their muscles and shown their dominance by maintaining their hot form and finding fluidity in their transitional play which they have benefited from. Kjetil Knutsen will not allow complacency to settle in and will demand all three points from his side. Back Bodoe/Glimt to continue their run and remain at the top of the table.
Tromso 39/20 | Draw 2/1 | Brann 5/4 (17:00)
Tromso have been in decent form despite ending a six-match unbeaten run after they lost to Rosenborg in their previous outing. A win for Tromso will take a three-point lead over Brann and get themselves into the top three as they look to get back to winning ways on their home turf.
Brann went back to winning ways in the league after their slender 1-0 home win against Stromsgodset but have not been the same outfit away from home. A win would see the end of a two-match losing streak away from home and maintain their spot in third place. Arguably the fixture of the weekend for me which could go either way depending on who wants it more, but I back Tromso to put Brann to the sword.
Stromgodset 29/20 | Draw 23/20 | Rosenborg 33/20 (19:15)
Stromsgodset are hosting Rosenborg in the final fixture of the weekend after their narrow 1-0 away defeat at Brann. Stromsgodset have ended a four-match unbeaten run but are at the peak of their powers in front of their home fans and will come out guns blazing to get the win.
Rosenborg went back to winning ways following four winless matches in the league after their 2-1 home win against Tromso. Rosenborg need to replicate the same performances they show at home as a win will bring them within a point behind Stromgodset on the league standings. Stromgodset are tipped to get the all-important three points at home.
