- Start form: IK Start Kristiansand have won just one of their last five matches, losing four times including the last two.
- Rosenborg form: Rosenborg BK's recent results are mixed, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five, but they have won their last two (2-1 win against Molde in a friendly, 3-0 win at home against Kristiansund in Eliteserien 2026).
- Head-to-head: Rosenborg have won the last head-to-head match 2-1 at home, four months ago in Friendly Club Matches 2026.
Pragmatism could prevail in this tense tussle
Match outlook
Rosenborg BK are the narrow favorites for Saturday's Norwegian Eliteserien 2026 clash at Sparebanken Norge Arena Kristiansand, but they will need to find their rhythm on the road to beat IK Start, who've got it all to do in their 16th place in the Norwegian top flight. The hosts are on a two-game losing streak, but they are a stubborn side and may be able to eke out a point.
Start's approach
Azar Karadas has been in charge of Start since 8 February 2024 and he is building a pragmatic, transition team that should, in theory, sit deep, stay compact and counter attack effectively.
In practice, Start have won just once, drawn three times and lost one of their five home fixtures in Eliteserien 2026 and have yet to really get going, although they have been more solid than the results suggest.
Their recent results have been a 2-0 home win over Vålerenga, followed by 2-1 defeats to Fredrikstad and Brann. Those matches show the sort of grit that will make them hard to crack on home soil, but also a lack of a finishing touch that is costing them points. Start have conceded seven goals in five home matches in 2026, which will keep the pressure on the backline at all times.
Rosenborg on a roll
Rosenborg are 13th with 12 points from 12 games, but they need to put some form together to get out of trouble, even if their recent matches have provided reason for optimism. Freyr Alexandersson took over at Rosenborg on 17 June 2026 and the brief is for rebuilding identity with a braver, more proactive edge.
Tactics and attacking threat
But RBK have won their last two games and appear to be shaping up well, so we'll take the visitors to edge a close match.
- He has overseen a move to a more attacking 4-3-3, with the ball on the midfielders and the full backs providing width.
- The team are more open in the attacking third and the striker pair and wingbacks can really get into this game, which should lead to more goals.
- Dino Islamovic is their hot hand in front of goal with three of RBK's nine Eliteserien 2026 goals coming in their last five games, so the Bosnia-Herzegovina international is the likeliest player to cause Start problems in the box.
- Rosenborg's away record in the Eliteserien 2026 is still 1 draw and four defeats from five with no goals scored, so Start will feel they have an opportunity in this game.
Take Start to stay in the game
The odds favor Rosenborg at 2.29, but Start are 2.82 and the draw is 3.56, so there is a lot of value in the home team. We'll edge towards the draw because of RBK's woeful away record, but Start are stubborn enough to keep this tight.
Both teams to score at 1.57 is our main bet, however, with Over 2.5 goals at 1.73 to follow up on the second choice.
