Molde head to Aalesund on Saturday chasing a third straight Eliteserien win. Erik Brakstad’s side come off a 2-1 loss to Rosenborg on July 5 but have won six of their last seven meetings with Aalesund. Their recent form reads 0W-2D-3L (LDLLD) over the past five games, and they sit fifth with 19 points after eleven rounds this season.

What to expect at Aalesund Stadion?

Aalesund have two wins, five draws and four defeats from eleven league games this season and sit 13th with eleven points. Kjetil Rekdal’s side last played on May 29, drawing 0-0 with HamKam, but have picked up eight points from their last four matches. They rounded off pre-season with a 3-0 friendly win over Kristiansund at the end of June.

Molde have six wins, one draw and four defeats from eleven league games and sit five points clear of Aalesund. Sindre Tjelmeland’s side lost 4-1 to Bodø/Glimt in a pre-season friendly at the end of June and then went down 2-1 at Rosenborg in their last competitive match on July 5. Molde have scored 46 goals and conceded 42 (+4 goal difference) this season, and sit 32 points behind league leaders Viking.

Team news and likely lineups

Aalesund will be without Philip Aukland, Janus Seehusen, Mathias Kristensen and Paul Ngongo through injury. Kristian Lonebu has six goals in fourteen appearances and starts up front, while 18-year-old Marcus Reed is set to make his first start. Their probable lineup reads: Klaesson; Charles, Syversen, Kjelsen, Gudmundsson, Orsahl; Christensen, Hagen, Osenbroch; Reed, Lonebu.

Molde are also missing Mads Kikkenborg, Fredrik Kristensen Dahl and Jalal Abdullai. Emil Breivik has seven goals in thirteen games and starts in attack alongside Fredrik Gulbrandsen, who also has seven goals in thirteen outings. Molde’s likely lineup is: Posiadala; Stenevik, Hansen, Risa, Linnes; Hoff, Daehli; Hestad, Breivik, Granaas; Gulbrandsen.

The expert verdict

Sportsmole’s analysts tip a tight game but expect Molde to claim all three points on Saturday. Brakstad’s side boast attacking quality and have beaten Aalesund in six of their last seven meetings. Molde lost 1-2 away to Sarpsborg 08 FF on May 25 and face them again at home on August 2. The race tightens as the season turns toward autumn, with Molde currently five points off fourth.