Our prediction for this Norway Eliteserien match:
Stabaek and Molde go head to head at Nadderud Stadion in the Eliteserien round 16. Molde are on a quest to defend their trophy, but they are 12 points behind league leaders Bodo ahead of Saturday’s encounter. Since this has to go down as yet another must-win game for the visitors, we are positive that they will go all guns blazing at Stabaek. Keep in mind, though, that the Blues head into the match following the Champions League qualifier against Helsinki.
A man to watch in the away team will be Eric Kitolano, who scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 crushing of Sarpsborg, while Sivert Mannsverk misses out through suspension. De Blaa, on the other hand, suffered yet another dip in form, with the team losing four of their last five league matches. Given Molde’s display in the triumph over Sarpsborg, we are tempted to put our money on the away team. Stabaek boss Lars Bohinen should have a full squad to choose from.
Highlighted Player (Magnus Wolff Eikrem ):
Magnus Wolff Eikrem is a Norwegian footballer who was born in Molde on August 8, 1990. As expected, he started his youth career at his hometown club Molde in 2002, but four years later Manchester United scouts brought him to England. Eikrem returned to Molde in 2011, scoring six goals in 68 league appearances for the Blues in the Eliteserien.
After his spells with Heerenveen, Cardiff City, Malmo, and Seattle Sounders, the Norway midfielder made yet another return to Molde in 2018. Eikrem has been playing for the Blues ever since, establishing himself as one of the team’s key players.
Speaking of his international career, he scored two goals in 12 appearances for the Norway U21 team, while making his debut with the senior team in a 1-1 draw with Denmark on January 15, 2012. He replaced Markus Henriksen after 75 minutes. He is the son of former Molde footballer Knut Hallvard Eikrem.
Highlighted Team (Molde):
Based in Molde, Norway, Molde FK are one of the most successful Eliteserien clubs of the century. The Blues won their fourth domestic championship in 2019, with the team finishing the process 14 points clear of second-place Bodo.
However, Molde failed to defend their trophy the following season as Bodo looked unstoppable in the Norwegian top flight. Speaking of the Norwegian Cup, the Blues clinched their fourth silverware in 2014, with the team beating Odd 2-0 in the title game. The Eliteserien outfit play home games at Aker Stadion, the venue with the capacity of 11,249 spectators.
Thanks to a second-place finish in the 1998 Eliteserien campaign, Molde qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever. As a result, the likes of Real, Porto, and Olympiakos visited Norway. Molde are well known for their blue shirts and white shorts, with the team wearing white jerseys and blue shorts when playing on the road.