- Sarpsborg form: Sarpsborg 08 have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five matches.
- Ham-Kam form: Ham-Kam have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five games, with a 1-4 defeat at home to Tromso IL.
- Head-to-head: Sarpsborg 08 have won the last two head-to-heads, including a 3-2 win away at Ham-Kam five months ago in Friendly Club Matches 2026.
Side with Sarpsborg 08 against Ham-Kam at Sparbanken Sør Arena
Match verdict and form:
Sarpsborg 08 are our pick to win this tight mid-table clash at Sarpsborg Stadion, where the home side have gone 3-2-1 in Eliteserien 2026 and conceded only five goals across their six fixtures to date.
Even Sel's side have won one and drawn one in their latest two matches, but both the 1-0 home win over Viking and the 0-0 away draw with Kristiansund BK represent solid results that show a bit of grit.
Tactics and key players:
Even Sel, who has been in charge since 1 January 2026, has clearly installed a proactive, front-foot style with a higher press and some quick rotations in attack that should test Ham-Kam's compact back three on Sunday.
Claus Niyukuri has been a key component in Sarpsborg's successful game so far, with three assists in their last five giving their attack a supply line that has helped to ensure it ticks along nicely.
Ham-Kam have yet to win on the road in Eliteserien 2026
Thomas Myhre has done a decent job at Ham-Kam since taking over on 24 June 2025, keeping his team structured in a 3-5-2 system with width from his wing-backs and control from his midfield.
Away form and recent results:
- But the Hammer of the Valley have yet to register their first away win in Norway's top-flight after five games, although they have scored seven goals on their travels.
- A 2-2 draw away at Sandefjord in the Eliteserien 2026 and a 2-1 victory over IFK Goteborg away in friendly action show they can still get results on the road.
- Their main finish-off man on the break has been Mame Alassane Niang, who has two goals in his last five appearances, while Patrick Metcalfe has continued his playmaker role in midfield with three assists during the same sequence.
Sarpsborg should be favoured at 1.9
The bookmakers have it all wrong in making Sarpsborg 08 favourites at 1.9 for this one, with Ham-Kam offered at 3.55 and the draw at 3.8.
Sarpsborg should have the edge on home soil, having won the last two meetings with the Hammer of the Valley, but the recent form of both teams indicates that it should be a close battle.
Daniel Seland Karlsbakk has a nose for the box and has bagged three in his last five for Sarpsborg 08, so we will side with his team to claim a 2-1 win and increase their head-to-head advantage over Ham-Kam.
But Over 2.5 goals at 1.57 also appeals as an excellent fit for both team's preference for playing forward, while Both Teams To Score – Yes at 1.48 is another solid option in this fixture.
