Rosenborg are Norway’s most successful football club. They have won a record 22 league titles and hold the record for the most league victories in a row, claiming the title 13 times in succession between 1992 and 2004.
The likes of Molde and Stromgodset have done well to wrestle the Eliteserien title away from Rosenborg since 2011 but in 2015, Rosenborg returned to the top and won the title again in 2016. Is this going to be another period of dominance in Norway or will a team step up and challenge them this season?
This weekend Rosenborg travel to Kristiansund hoping to extend or at least maintain their 2-point lead at the top of the table.
Kristiansund Form
Kristiansund come into this match sitting 13th in the Eliteserien and hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. Having won only 4 matches this season, Kristiansund are just 1 point clear of the relegation playoff place and 2 points clear of the automatic relegation places.
Despite having won only 2 of their last 8 Eliteserien games, Kristiansund will come into this match with the belief they can take something from the game.
At home, Kristiansund have proven very difficult to beat and are undefeated in their last 6 league games at the Kristiansund Stadion. They have only won 2 of those 6 games but at least have something on which to build.
Rosenborg Form
Rosenborg have lost just 2 of their 14 Eliteserien games this season. Their most recent defeat came two weeks ago at Haugesund, a team currently sitting 9th in the table and this shows they can be beaten by teams lower down the table.
However, with just 2 defeats to their name all season, Rosenborg are a team who are tough to beat and Kristiansund must produce something special if they are to take maximum points off the league leaders.
It’s worth noting that Rosenborg have failed to win in their last 3 attempts away from home in the Eliteserien, drawing 2 and losing their most recent away fixture.
Team News
Kristiansund defender Erlend Sivertsen is still out injured and will remain that way for some time. Therefore, Christian Michelsen is unlikely to make many changes to the team won superbly at Stabaek last weekend.
Rosenborg are waiting on the fitness of Anders Konradsen and Mike Jensen before naming their starting XI for the match. Kare Ingebrigsten will probably go with a 4-3-3 formation and start Nicklas Bendtner in attack.
Top Betting Tips
Following their excellent 4-1 win away from home last week, Kristiansund will come into this match with confidence. They are undefeated in their last 6 at home and Rosenborg have struggled in their recent away league games. The draw can be backed at 16/5 with Ladbrokes.
Kristiansund have seen under 2.5 goals in 6 of their 7 home Eliteserien games this season. Rosenborg have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 on the road, making under 2.5 goals at Evens with PaddyPower a good bet.
In fact, why not combine the draw and under 2.5 goals at 15/4 with Ladbrokes for a good bet.