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After a six-week break for the World Cup, Rosenborg return to league action as they host Kristiansund at Lerkendal Stadion on Sunday in round 13 of the 2026 Eliteserien season.
Both sides begin the weekend in the bottom three, having endured shaky starts to their respective campaigns. They will be hoping the World Cup hiatus serves as a platform for improved fortunes.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Rosenborg vs Kristiansund key stats
- Kristiansund have gone nine matches without a clean sheet.
- They have also conceded in each of their last eight games against Rosenborg, with both teams scoring in seven of them.
- Rosenborg are unbeaten in seven of their last nine league encounters on home turf.
Rosenborg vs Kristiansund preview: Both teams looking to kick on from respective friendly victories
Rosenborg vs. Kristiansund — Tale of the Tape (Eliteserien)
| Rosenborg | vs | Kristiansund |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | Position | 14th |
| 9 | Points | 11 |
| 9 | Goals For | 11 |
| 18 | Goals Against | 18 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 12th | Home / Away Rank | 11th |
After ending last season in 10th – their worst league finish in decades – Rosenborg entered the current campaign with much to prove. However, it is fair to say they have yet to meet expectations.
A disappointing run of just one win in their first seven league matches led to the dismissal of Alfred Johansson and the interim appointment of Alexander Tettey, but the 40-year-old managed only four points from a possible 12.
As a result, Rosenborg have turned to Freyr Alexandersson, who recently guided Brann to a Conference League play-off spot, despite a turbulent conclusion to his spell at Brann Stadion.
Fresh from overseeing a 2-0 friendly win over Molde, Alexandersson will be aiming for a strong start in his first Eliteserien outing with the Troll Children, who are unbeaten in six of their last seven meetings with Kristiansund.
However, that solitary defeat came in the most recent meeting between the sides in June 2025, when Kristiansund ran out emphatic 4-1 winners, racing to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 35 minutes.
Having ended last season with just one win from their final nine matches and finishing only three points above the drop zone, Kristiansund have been displaying signs of dysfunction for some time, which have now developed into a full-blown crisis.
Amund Skiri's side have won just two of their 11 league matches so far and suffered five defeats in their last six outings prior to a 2-1 warm-up win over Brann ahead of their return to competitive action.
Since earning promotion back to the top flight in 2017, the Owls have established themselves among Norway's elite, but their current trajectory points towards a return to the second division unless fortunes improve.
This weekend’s trip to Rosenborg marks the start of a favourable run, with three matches in four gameweeks against bottom-five opponents. Kristiansund could find themselves with breathing room in the relegation battle – or playing catch-up – by the start of August.
Rosenborg vs Kristiansund form guide & betting tips
| Rosenborg | vs | Kristiansund |
|---|---|---|
LWLLD |
Form | LLWLL |
| 4 | Points | 3 |
| 6 | Goals For | 4 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 9 |
Whispers predicts: Rosenborg 2-1 Kristiansund
With both teams struggling for form, there is little to separate them, and Sunday’s game could go either way. However, Kristiansund’s poor away record—just one win in their last 11 matches—means Rosenborg will fancy their chances of securing all three points at 11/18 (1.61).
Given the defensive vulnerabilities of both sides, an open contest is expected, making BTTS – Yes at 7/10 (1.70) look a strong pick.
Emil Konradsen Ceide has scored in two of his last three appearances for Rosenborg against Kristiansund, and with the 24-year-old priced at 9/4 (3.25) to score again this weekend, he represents an intriguing option.
> Rosenborg to win at 11/18 (1.61) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 7/10 (1.70) | Likelihood: Probable
> Emil Konradsen Ceide to score anytime at 9/4 (3.25) | Likelihood: Outsider