Following something of a disastrous set of fixtures last week where both Rosenborg and Glimt and Tromsø and Stabæk played out incredibly unhelpful 0-0 draws, Eliteserien moves into the penultimate round this weekend with the champions yet to be crowned and with all three relegation spots not yet finalised.

Without further ado, here are the best five bets to be had across the Norwegian top flight before the final round of the season is upon us.

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Bodø/Glimt v Brann

Following Bodø/Glimt and Rosenborg playing out their first goalless draw in five years last week (and no doubt ruining some betting slips in the process) the reigning champions saw their margin at the top of Eliteserien trimmed to just three points with a brace of games left to play. The first of these two games sees practically-relegated and perennially unlucky Brann travel to the Aspmyra in what should be a relatively one-sided affair.

Since Kjetil Knutsen took charge of the club in 2018, Glimt have been unaccustomed to slip-ups and will be looking to ensure they don’t buck this trend now. They remain unbeaten in the league since June and in spite of last week’s stalemate against Rosenborg they retain their position as favourites for the title. With qualification from their Europa Conference League group also assured, this Sunday’s fixture vs Brann assumes priority over their midweek clash vs Zorya – so don’t expect to see any of Glimt’s main stars rested.

As for Brann, the relegation play-off spot is still within reach, but with a winless streak now extending to seven matches, the prospect of facing Glimt is a daunting one. Expect the champions to assert their dominance, albeit not necessarily early; in their games vs the bottom three so far, Glimt tend to leave the scoring to the second half.

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Vålerenga v Mjøndalen

Vålerenga come into this clash with second-bottom Mjøndalen, with the Oslo club occupying their customary 7^th place in the table. Specialists in drawing games, a 75^th-minute penalty from Henrik Bjordal away at Odd last week did at least ensure they picked up their tenth win of the campaign.

On paper, Vålerenga should have too much for Vegard Hansen’s beleaguered side, but as the saying goes: ”Enga’s gonna Enga“. Their form this season has been largely erratic, never once managing to string more than two consecutive league wins together, but they have been consistent in dispatching sides in the relegation zone: almost a third of their total points tally has come against Brann, Stabaek and Mjøndalen.

Still, given Vålerenga’s proclivity for shooting themselves in the foot (since the end of August, they’ve dropped points against Tromsø, Sarpsborg, Glimt and Viking thanks to goals conceded after the 80^th minute) do not count Mjøndalen out entirely. Wins over Kristiansund and Strømsgodset have kept alive their hopes of supplanting Stabæk in the relegation play-off place. Plus, they have a handy habit of scoring late: in the last four games in which they have scored, two-thirds of their goals have come after the 75^th minute.

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Molde v Lillestrøm

Following Glimt’s draw against Rosenborg last weekend, Molde have been handed a chance, albeit slim, of still winning the title. For the league’s top scorers, they will be looking to capitalise, but in their way is the stern obstacle of Lillestrøm, one of this season’s staunchest sides.

Both clubs are in decent form: Molde have won their last three on the bounce, while Lillestrøm have lost just once in their previous five outings (and even that was to the all-powerful Glimt), so expect something of an unpredictable game given how both teams prefer to set-up. Molde like to overwhelm in attack, whereas the visitors rely on a solid foundation at the back to see them through matches.

As such, a winner is a difficult call. When Molde score goals, they score plenty. The league’s two top-scorers should start today too – Molde’s Ohi Omoijuanfo and Lillestrøm’s Thomas Lehna Olsen – both go head-to-head as the race for the golden boot comes down to the wire. Goals from both sides is absolutely not out of the question.

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Stabæk v Rosenborg

After some early season promise which revolved around the talismanic talents of Kristoffer Zachariessen, Rosenborg’s campaign is in danger of ending in a whimper. Their last eight games has seen them collect a solitary win against lowly Sandefjord, while at the same time suffering comprehensive losses against the likes of Molde and Lillestrøm. Accordingly, the Trondheim club now sit outside the European places, unable to catch Viking in third, but do at least have two of the weaker teams in the division left to play to salvage some pride.

Their hosts, Stabæk, are resigned to the fact they will be fighting in the playoffs for their right to remain in Eliteserien next season – that is, of course, if Brann or Mjøndalen do not catch them in the remaining two fixtures. One of the lowest scorers in the division, Stabæk have struggled without a reliable goal-scorer. Of their last nine goals, they have witnessed eight different scorers, so while they supposedly pose a threat all over the pitch, in reality it seldom comes to fruition.

By no means should this be a high-scoring game, but Rosenborg should have enough impetus and quality on the pitch to at least claim a victory.

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Viking v Odd

Stavanger’s very own Viking know that a point in either of their final two games will secure them third place in Eliteserien and ensure another season of European competition. Similarly, Odd, who lie in 13^th position, need just a point to ensure their safety after what has been a truly dismal conclusion to their campaign.

Viking are in imperious form, having lost just once in their last nine games, a run which has also seen them score 21 goals. Much of their attacking rewards come through or in the form of their talismanic striker Veton Berisha, who, for the first time in his career, has broken the 20-goal barrier in the league.

In direct contrast, Odd have failed to win a match in their last eight outings. While more than capable of scoring thanks to their attacking triumvirate of Mushaga Bakenga, Tobias Lauritsen and Sander Svendsen, they are seemingly incapable of keeping a clean sheet. Both of the club’s goalkeepers, Sondre Rossbach and Leopold Wahlstedt, possess two of the lowest save percentages in the league – 55.6% and 58.8% respectively – which no doubt compounds Odd’s inability to keep the ball out of their net.

Given Viking’s attacking prowess and Odd’s proclivity for conceding early and frequently, expect a home win.

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