- Recent form: Sarpsborg 08 have lost four and tied one of their last five matches, failing to beat Lillestroem 4-0 two days ago.
- Opponent form: Fredrikstad FK have also lost three consecutive games in all competitions, losing 3-1 to Brann in their last fixture.
- Head-to-head: Sarpsborg 08 have failed to win either of their previous two home games against Fredrikstad FK.
A clash of philosophies
Current form and table
Two sides in poor form face off in this Eliteserien clash on Saturday with Sarpsborg 08 coming into this game on the back of three straight defeats and Fredrikstad FK with the same sequence of results.
With 5 points from seven games, Sarpsborg 08 sit 13th in the Eliteserien 2026 table, while Fredrikstad FK are just above them in 12th spot after taking seven points from their first seven matches. Neither side will want to lose this one as it will either be a boost to the winner’s momentum or another setback for the loser.
Contrasting styles
Sarpsborg 08 and Fredrikstad are similar in many ways, but they also have contrasting styles and philosophies. Sarpsborg are more of an attacking side who like to rotate their forwards and midfielders and keep possession in patterns, whereas Fredrikstad have more of a pragmatic approach with a focus on being a compact team, who can play on the break and are strong in set-piece situations.
Sel’s players are yet to get the hang of the new tactical approach
Even Sel has not been afraid to take a fresh approach to tactics since he took over as Sarpsborg 08’s head coach in January 2026. His team generally stick to a 4-2-3-1 formation with some variation, but they like to play with the ball and their play is well organised with lots of rotations in the attacking third.
Their problem is that the results just haven’t followed through and they still seem a work in progress under Sel. Fredrikstad FK have been much more consistent in their approach, with Thomassen employs either a 3-4-3 or a 4-4-2 system. They have generally been well-organised and difficult to beat when playing against teams that like to dominate the ball, particularly in transition and in set-piece scenarios.
Fredrikstad can nick a victory in this one
Fredrikstad have won the last two head-to-head meetings between these two clubs, including a 2-1 win in the NM Cup 2026 eight weeks ago. The visitors have won one and lost three of their four away games in the Eliteserien 2026, conceding 2.75 goals per game away from home, while Sarpsborg 08 have drawn two and lost one of their three home matches this season, so it looks like they’re the ones in the most desperate need of a win.
There is no doubt that these teams are in poor form, but this fixture will be a test of the different tactical philosophies of these two teams and we believe Fredrikstad have the edge at the moment.
- Our selection for this game is over 2.5 goals at 1.47 and both teams to score at 1.45, although Fredrikstad to nick the win is our main wager.
- Sarpsborg 08 have conceded just 1.00 goals per home game, so they have been better at home than Fredrikstad have away and we think that the visitors will just be able to nick it.
- An open game is almost guaranteed with both teams’ defensive frailties and the odds on over 2.5 goals and BTTS are very favorable.
