Start vs Molde Prediction, Preview and Stats

Norway flag 2026 Eliteserien, Norway
Sparebanken Sør Arena Sun, 19 Apr - 5:15 PM
Eliteserien
Start Start
Versus
Molde Molde
KICKOFF : Sun, 19 Apr - 5:15 PM
Round 5 Regular Season

CONTEXT

Relegation candidates Start prepare to host an in-form Molde outfit at Sparebanken Sør Arena in this Eliteserien Regular Season match. Currently rooted to the bottom of the table in 16th position, the home side have endured a tough beginning, securing no wins across their first four outings. Their latest result saw them fall to defeat on the road against Lillestrøm. Sixth-placed Molde bring considerable pedigree into the contest, highlighted by their elevated power score of 25.2 against Start's 11.67. Coming off a home triumph versus HamKam, the away team have registered three victories in six matches, demonstrating greater consistency. This fixture underscores the gulf in class between a side battling at the basement and one aiming for European qualification spots. Local fans hope for an upset, but the statistics point toward a dominant display from the visitors who hold a notable advantage.

TL;DR

  • Structural: Start sit 16th while Molde occupy 6th spot, creating a significant structural mismatch in this Eliteserien fixture.
  • Form: Start remain without a win in four matches, contrasting Molde's three victories from six games and strong last outing.
  • Squad: Molde benefit from greater squad depth and quality, allowing better options compared to a depleted looking Start roster.
  • Efficiency: Limited efficiency data exists for both teams, with proxies indicating potential struggles for Start in maximizing outputs.
  • Transition: Molde excel in moving the ball forward quickly, which could expose Start during moments of lost possession.
  • Set pieces: Set piece information shows low confidence levels and proxy reliance, suggesting neither side dominates in dead ball scenarios.
  • xVariable: Underlying xVariable metrics heavily favor Molde, pointing to better chance creation and overall performance levels.
  • Market: Start 28.2% (Δ+0%) | Draw 26.5% (Δ+0%) | Molde 45.3% (Δ+0%).
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
Start A. Karadas
A. Karadas
VS
Molde M. Falk
M. Falk
0.5
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.5
0.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Lillestrøm Rank: L
Sarpsborg 08 Rank: D
Aalesund Rank: D
KFUM Rank: L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
HamKam Rank: W
Lillestrøm Rank: L
Viking Rank: L
Rosenborg Rank: W
Sarpsborg 08 Rank: L
Brann Rank: W
5
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
5 - 7 - 10
10
No sidelined player data available.

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Start
28.15%
Draw
26.54%
Away Molde
45.31%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power score: composite of opponent-weighted form (last 6 & 20 games) and league position over last 3 seasons.
11.67
25.2
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Start
Molde
Power Score
11.67
25.2
League Position
16
6
Global Rank
-
-

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

vs
Start Opponent-weighted form score
Molde Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Start Molde

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 22 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Start Start Home
22 matches
Molde Molde Away
Match Record
5
Wins
10
7
Draws
7
10
Losses
5
Goals
24
Goals Scored
50
50
Goals Conceded
24
-26
Goal Difference
+26
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-04-16T01:08:21+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

Pitch
J. Larsen
1 J. Larsen
E. Reitan
29 E. Reitan
J. Norheim
6 J. Norheim
K. Tønnessen
19 K. Tønnessen
M. Ugland
18 M. Ugland
E. Segberg
23 E. Segberg
E. Schulze
11 E. Schulze
L. Gausdal
30 L. Gausdal
T. Strannegard
16 T. Strannegard
J. Cornelius
17 J. Cornelius
J. Ampofo
22 J. Ampofo
M. Juhl Kikkenborg
1 M. Juhl Kikkenborg
M. Linnes
25 M. Linnes
B. Risa
33 B. Risa
S. Hansen
4 S. Hansen
H. Østervold Stenevik
18 H. Østervold Stenevik
C. Zady Sery
11 C. Zady Sery
J. Christensen
14 J. Christensen
V. Hoff
15 V. Hoff
T. Doherty
24 T. Doherty
E. Breivik
10 E. Breivik
W. Abdulai
9 W. Abdulai

General Information

Date & Time
Apr 19, 2026, 05:15 PM
Competition
2026 Eliteserien, Norway · Round 5 · Regular Season
Stadium
Sparebanken Sør Arena
Capacity
14563
Pitch Surface
Artificial turf
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Sivert Amland

Expected Lineup

Referee : Sivert Amland

Starting XI

1
J. Pryts
J. Pryts Goalkeeper
6.75
16
T. Strannegård
T. Strannegård Midfielder
6.68
18
M. Ugland
M. Ugland Midfielder
6.98
22
J. Ampofo
J. Ampofo Attacker
6.54
17
J. Cornelius
J. Cornelius Attacker
6.23
6
John Norheim
John Norheim Centre Back
6.5
19
Kristoffer Tønnessen
Kristoffer Tønnessen Left Back
6.85
23
Erlend Segberg
Erlend Segberg Central Midfield
6.49
29
Erlend Dahl Reitan
Erlend Dahl Reitan Right Back
6.96
30
L. Gausdal
L. Gausdal Central Midfield
6.4
11
E. Schulze
E. Schulze Central Midfield
6.77
Referee : Sivert Amland

Starting XI

1
Mads Kikkenborg
Mads Kikkenborg Goalkeeper
6.69
11
Caleb Zady Sery
Caleb Zady Sery Midfielder
6.97
24
Trent Kone Doherty
Trent Kone Doherty Midfielder
6.81
9
Jalal Abdullai
Jalal Abdullai Attacker
6.89
10
Emil Breivik
Emil Breivik Attacker
7.75
14
Jacob Christensen
Jacob Christensen Central Midfield
6.76
15
Vebjørn Hoff
Vebjørn Hoff Central Midfield
6.91
18
Halldor Stenevik
Halldor Stenevik Right Back
7.06
4
S. Hansen
S. Hansen Right Back
7.18
25
Martin Linnes
Martin Linnes Left Back
7.02
33
Birk Risa
Birk Risa Left Back
7.13

CONCLUSION

Molde will likely control the tempo and emerge victorious from this away assignment given their superior positioning in the league. Recent results provide the visitors with a solid platform against a Start team lacking in confidence after a winless start. Even with home support, the hosts have struggled significantly, rendering it tough to halt Molde's progress. Key focus remains on the away side's capacity to transform their power advantage into on-field control. With sustained concentration, three points look probable for the sixth-placed outfit. Start must enhance their defensive structure along with attacking output to gain any reward here. The contest presents Molde a fine opportunity to advance their standing in the Eliteserien table.