Eliteserien: Sarpsborg vs Molde! Missing a strong striker, is Molde relying mainly on luck for goals?

Today's first match preview in Eliteserien: Sarpsborg vs Molde!

Last year, both the shining star and Molde were the respectable teams of the Eliteserien.

But this season, the shining star isn't what it was last year, and is Molde still the same as before?

Many strong Eliteserien teams sell their forwards annually to balance their budgets, with Molde being the most successful among them.

Molde sells their star striker every year; back in 2019, Haaland came from here.

Two seasons ago, their top scorer James left.

Last season, the Eliteserien golden boot winner, Omoijuanfo, also departed.

Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem for Molde since they have good forward depth.

However, fate has been unkind recently, as they’ve lost two key forwards to injury at once:

Last season’s second top scorer Anderson suffered an ACL injury, ending his season.

Meanwhile, last season’s assist leader Brynhildsen has a groin strain and will be out until at least July.

This is tough — your new attack is still gelling, and now you’ve lost two more players?

So recently, Molde had to use attacking midfielder Ekreem as a makeshift forward, pairing him with substitute striker Zekonini, who didn’t score last season.

What does this mean? Molde’s threat in open play has diminished.

Although they’ve won three straight Eliteserien matches recently, it hasn’t been easy.

Against Aalesund, one goal came from the opponent’s goalkeeper error with a lob into an empty net, and another from a defensive mistake.

Against Kristiansund, they couldn’t break through in open play and relied on two headed goals.

They got the three points, but their dominance in matches is not like last season.

Look at the teams they’ve beaten recently — Odd, Aalesund, Kristiansund — either newly promoted or relegation-threatened sides, so the quality of opposition isn’t very high.

Moreover, Molde faces another challenge: the schedule.

After playing Sarpsborg, they only get two days off before facing the shining star in the national derby.

They are supposed to play six matches in 19 days, which is a huge physical strain. Will they hold back against the shining star? It’s uncertain.

If they do hold back, Sarpsborg isn’t an easy opponent either.

In fact, Sarpsborg’s home ground has always been a tough place for Molde; in their last five home matches against Molde, Sarpsborg has always taken points.

Molde is currently in a weakened phase with an incomplete squad. Can Sarpsborg defend their home turf? What do you think? I hope Sarpsborg at least avoids defeat.

Alright, for today’s other matches, I will still send you written analysis this evening. If anything is unclear, feel free to ask me. Let’s watch the games and understand them together, see you there!

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