Viking take on the visitors Haugesund in the round 18 match of Norwegian Elitserien. The match will be played on Wednesday, April 30th at Lyse Arena (Stavanger).
Viking are eight-time Norwegian champions, although their last league title came back in 1991, and as recently as 2018 they were playing in the second tier. Since then, however, they’ve lifted the Norwegian Cup and secured a third-place finish in last year’s Eliteserien. While challenging Bodø/Glimt for the title remains a tall order, the Stavanger-based club have started the new campaign strongly. They lost their opener away to Vålerenga, but then went on a winning streak that propelled them into the top group. Last round’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Tromsø showcased their attacking firepower and never-say-die spirit. Viking are now unbeaten in their last four matches and have scored 11 goals during that stretch.
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Haugesund have been slipping down the pecking order in recent years. The Seagulls reached the Norwegian Cup final in 2019, and between 2014 and 2019 they made three appearances in the Europa League, advancing past at least one round each time. Since then, however, the team’s results have steadily declined. In 2024, they only stayed in the top flight after surviving the promotion/relegation playoff against Moss — drawing 0-0 away and winning 2-0 at home. So far this season, they’ve continued to struggle under Manoharan’s management. They lost without scoring against both Tromsø and Strømsgodset, and despite finally finding the net against Bryne, still suffered a 1-3 defeat. Their latest outing — a goalless draw at home to Fredrikstad — showed little sign of a turnaround, especially in attack.
Last year, both clubs won their home games, but in 2023 Viking came out on top in both meetings. The hosts are clearly the stronger side and should be able to prove it — back them to win with a -1.5 goal handicap.
Prediction for the match: Viking to win with -1.5 handicap.
