Stabaek – Aalesund 06-08-2025

Two teams that would have liked to be a division higher meet here at Nadderud. Only Aalesund has achieved this far. But they also have a challenge that must be addressed if they are to be promoted. They are struggling away from home, and if they are to stay at the top, this will probably have to improve.

Stabæk, on the other hand, has struggled for much of the season. A coaching change has been attempted, with Bjørn Helge Riise being brought back as interim head coach. Without this having provided any significant boost. The club is simply struggling to win games at the moment.

This match means a lot to the teams, and could have a big impact on the way forward in the season. Neither team can afford to lose, and neither will be satisfied with a draw. Which forms a good basis for an exciting and open match.

Stabæk – Far from the goal of promotion.

Stabæk was tipped by many as a clear top 6 candidate before the season. But that hasn't happened, and the team is now on a 10-game winning streak. It goes without saying that they are not going to be there. In fact, many bookmakers tipped them as high as 4th place. Up to 6th place, which gives qualification, there are now 8 points.

That may not sound like much, but with only 3 wins in 16 games so far, it could take a few games to get those points.

The team is currently working on the Nadderud Sports Park project, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, and they could probably have imagined the possibility of games at the highest level. With a price tag of a whopping 997 million, they should be happy that they have a rich municipality on their team. The municipality is behind this construction, and will foot the entire bill. The intended capacity will be approximately 8,000 spectators. These are numbers they are far from if they are to be at this level. Much of the reason why it has not gone smoothly is probably the major replacements that have been made in the team. 9 new players were ready before the season, and more have arrived this summer. It is not done in such a short time to put together a team that works in all phases of the game. The potential is there. But the team is struggling with stability, and not least with taking 3-pointers.

We also saw that last time against Moss, a game where they were first down 1-2 in the 85th minute, before turning the tables with two quick goals in the 87th and 89th minutes. Then at the very end, 6 minutes into overtime, they managed to score the 3-3 goal. Typical of a team in a headwind. They probably didn't get any more confidence from this one. We think they will have a tough time against a promotion-chasing Aalesund.

Aalesund – Needs to win away.

Aalesund, who have a clear goal for the season of promotion, have a lead in 2nd place which gives direct promotion. They are now in 3rd place. 5 points behind a Start team that is finding shape. This means that Aalesund must get their away form in order if they are to secure the place behind the superb Lillestrøm.

Because after 7 away games, the only certainty is one win so far. So 7 points in 7 away games. We have to go all the way back to 05.04 this year to find the previous away win. When they beat Sogndal in a thriller of a game. Sogndal tied it at 3-3 three minutes into overtime, before Aalesund secured the victory four minutes into overtime. So as you can see, it's a long way off on foreign turf.

At home, the team is currently the best of all teams in the division, and if they can manage to take some of this away, they will be able to challenge for direct promotion. The pragmatic Rekdal probably knows this too, and will push for a result in this match. There are many teams that are close in the table, and the fight for 3 points is important at this stage of the season.

We believe that Aalesund should be the better team of these two right now, and we believe it is only a matter of time before the team starts winning away. Many close games have ended in draws, and they have only two away losses this season, so with a little more flow, the 3-pointers will also come away.

A player who can help steer this in the right direction is the new acquisition Mathias Christensen. Who since the transfer in the summer has delivered the goods. In fact, he has contributed with goals and points in every game since he came from Helsingør. 3 assists and 3 goals in four games are impressive. It has added a lot of creativity from the midfield to this team that Rekdal has missed. He will probably only get better and better.

Conclusion – Time for Aalesund to deliver away.

We see an Aalesund that is finding some form. Against a Stabæk that is not quite figuring things out. Although both teams have strengthened themselves this summer, it is clearly Aalesund that seems to have got the best turn of events.

There's something about playing into a headwind, and the point loss 6 minutes into overtime last time for Stabæk probably hangs in there a bit. A team that can't close down the field. Aalesund had the opposite experience in the previous match. Something they needed after messing up the win against Lyn in the match before that. An away match they deserved to win.

We believe they take better advantage of this opportunity, and therefore play the following games:

Football at 19:00: Stabæk – Aalesund: Aalesund wins (2.25)