Norwegian title holders Molde host FK Haugesund at the Aker Stadion in the Eliteserien on Sunday.

Despite running away with the title at a canter last season, Molde have seriously struggled and find themselves in mid-table with the midway point approaching.

Match preview

A surprise 1-0 defeat at Odd before the international break has halted the great progress Molde had made following a dreadful start to the season.

One point from their opening four games of the season saw the 2022 champions in the relegation zone, but they then went on a run of eight wins from nine games across all competitions before last week's loss.

However, the start they made was incredibly damaging, as the imperious Bodo/Glimt are already 15 points ahead of Molde after dropping just two points from their opening 11 games.

Continental qualification will surely be the aim now, as Molde start the weekend in sixth, four points off the European places having played a game more.

Champions League football will be on the agenda soon for Molde though, with a second qualifying round tie with either HJK Helsinki or Larne to come next month.

The side has missed the goals of David Datro Fofana, who joined Chelsea in January, after his tally of 15 last year saw the Premier League club come calling.

Ola Brynhildsen also reached double figures as they raced away with the title last year, and thankfully for Molde, it looks like he is hitting form again.

The 24-year-old did not score in his first six games of the season, but back-to-back doubles helped the side to 5-0 and 4-3 wins over Sandefjord and Viking in recent weeks.

Haugesund travel here with an awful recent record against Molde, not winning any of their last 15 head-to-heads in this fixture.

They can at least come into the match with some confidence having won both of their last two league matches.

Wins over Stromsgodset and Sandefjord have been much needed after Haugesund won just one of their first eight games of the season.

A very important six points has moved them out of the relegation zone, and Haugesund will hope they can make a move up a wide-open Eliteserien table, due to underwhelming starts from both Molde and Rosenborg in particular.

However, a defeat to Brattvag, a side in the third-tier relegation zone, in the Norwegian Cup has taken the shine off that recent improvement.

That marks a continuation of some poor away form for Haugesund this season, as they have netted just two away goals all season in the league, and they both came in the that recent win over Stromsgodset.

Team News

After a lengthy layoff with a serious knee injury, Molde's Eirik Andersen is not far away from a return to action, but July is a more realistic timeframe for the midfield to make a comeback.

Therefore, he is expected to remain on the sidelines alongside Martin Ellingsen, who has been absent for almost two years now.

New signing Veton Berisha should start again in attack, but his struggles do continue as he is yet to open his account for the club after his arrival from Hammarby.

Veteran attacker Alexander Soderlund is Haugesund's only injury concern ahead of this clash.

The 35-year-old has made just three sub appearances this season and has not featured since a 3-0 defeat at Stabaek.

After two straight league wins, manager Jostein Grindhaug should keep his side unchanged from the win over Sandefjord.

Molde possible starting lineup:
Karlstrom; Sinyan, Bjornbak, Risa; Linnes, Grodem, Mannsverk, Breivik, Haugen; Berisha, Brynhildsen

FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Therkildsen, Baertelsen, Reese, Krusnell; Christensen, Krygard, Bruno Leite; Sande, Diarra, Njie

We say: Molde 2-0 FK Haugesund

After a slip-up at Odd last week, Molde will be confident of returning to winning ways against an inconsistent Haugesund, especially as they have won 12 in a row against their upcoming guests.

Despite back-to-back league wins, the visitors will face a difficult task to come away from the Aker Stadion this weekend, having not beaten Molde since 2015.


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