Molde make the trip to Odd on Sunday looking for a win that they realistically require to stay in the hunt for top spot in the Eliteserien.
At a time when the visitors sit 12 points adrift of the leaders, Odd are down in 11th place, just two points above the bottom three.
Match preview
Having won last year's title, Molde supporters would have been expecting more of the same in 2023, but a surprisingly poor start has left them playing catch-up.
To their credit, however, Erling Moe's side have bounced back since the beginning of May, recording five wins from their six matches played during that period.
That solitary defeat came at the hands of bottom-side Aalesund, yet Molde have scored as many as 19 goals in collecting maximum points from the other fixtures.
Last time out, Molde were involved in a thriller with Viking, defying their hosts twice coming from behind before prevailing by a 4-3 scoreline.
Winning that fixture is currently the difference between fourth place and mid-table, a scenario that keeps the pressure on Moe and his players ahead of this encounter.
In sharp contrast, Odd enjoyed a solid start to the campaign - going four matches unbeaten - before that streak was undermined in the matches that followed.
Odd have lost four of their last six league outings and are currently on a four-match winless streak in the top flight, subsequently leaving them to look over their shoulders to the bottom three.
Pal Arne Johansen's team have scored in their last three fixtures, yet they represent over half of Odd's measly seven goals from 10 league matches in 2023.
Odd are capable of overcoming the top teams in the division, however, with their last success coming at third-placed Tromso, albeit back on May 7.
Team News
Having made widespread changes for the cup fixture with Sarpsborg 08, which ended in defeat, Johansen is expected to revert back to much of the team which started the most recent league game.
A change will need to be made to the back three due to the suspension of Diogo Tomas, with Sondre Solholm likely to take his place.
Forward Ole Erik Midtskogen has failed to net in the top flight during 2023, but his goal as a substitute in midweek was his third in the NM Cupen.
Moe may be prepared to select the Molde XI which started the encounter against Viking last weekend, although Magnus Grodem is pushing for a chance after scoring as a substitute in that game.
Ola Brynhildsen has netted doubles in his most recent two league outings having previously failed to score in the top flight all season.
Odd possible starting lineup:
Wahlstedt; S. Owusu, Hagen, Tomas; Gjengaar, L. Owusu, Wallem, Baccay; Bang-Kittilsen, Midtskogen, Jevtovic
Molde possible starting lineup:
Karlstrom; Sinyan, Bjornbak, Risa; Linnes, Breivik, Mannsverk, Eriksen, Haugen; Berisha, Brynhildsen
We say: Odd 1-2 Molde
Taking into account the impressive defensive record of Odd, we feel that they have the ability to withstand the quality that will come from Molde. However, doing that for 90 minutes will prove difficult, leading us to predict a hard-fought victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
