Preview: Molde vs SK Brann – prediction, team news, schedule

Hoping to go up to Norwegian EliteserienEuropean spots, Molde will face SK Brann at Aker Stadion on Saturday.

MFK are looking to get back to winning ways after struggling, while Bergen Pride are looking to build on their last win.

Game preview

Molde has been meeting the demands of new manager Sindre Tjelmeland, who was signed in December 2025 but only took over in late May when his contract as assistant manager of Polish club Lech Poznan expired.

The 36-year-old has previous experience of being the main man, especially when he spent two-and-a-half years at the helm of IK Start, but this is his first role as a boss since January 2024.

Tjelmeland started its MFK operations with 2-1 defeat Sarpsborg 08 on May 25, but quickly moved back on 2-1 win over Sandefjord five days later, courtesy of goals either side of the half from Fredrik Gulbrandsen and Eirik Hestad.

Molde fans hope the manager has been able to use the mid-season break to prepare for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, but the club lost 4-1 to Bodo/Glimt again 2-1 against Rosenborg in their last two friendlies, before going to play 2-2 with Aalesund in danger of relegation in their return to top-flight action.

That difficult situation last season saw Tjelmeland’s side drop to fifth in the Eliteserien, where their 20 points are two behind fourth-placed Lillestrom.

However, the hosts will be hoping for a win on Saturday, as they come into the tournament having won each of their last four competitive matches at home, and all but one this season so far.

Meanwhile, Brann finished fourth, but they will need to find their feet to repeat this after a slow start to the campaign under Eirik Horneland.

The Pride of Bergen currently sit in ninth place in the league with just 16 points ahead of 14 matchdays, a total that leaves the club out of the top four despite having played more than six of the eight games above them.

In fact, the midseason break came at the right time for Brann, who had lost three times before the bounce, signed with football. 2-1 defeat Sarpsborg 08 on May 29.

Horneland’s collected all three points in one game 2-1 won by Start last Sunday, and everyone at the club will be hoping that victory marks the start of a turnaround.

That said, the visitors have only come out on top once in their last six competitive away games, surprisingly. defeated Tromso 5-0 on April 29 as part of a streak that included four losses and one tie.

Additionally, Brann may have one eye on next Thursday’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Universitatea Cluj, given that they enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 Europa League campaign, reaching the knockout stage playoffs.

Molde Norwegian Eliteserien form:

SK Brann Norwegian Eliteserien form:

Team News

© Consport / REMOVE

Molde will be without goalkeeper Mads Kikkenborg as well, as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Likewise, left-back Fredrik Kristensen Dahl is working his way back from a knee injury he picked up in February, so expect to see Martin Linnes operating on the left of a four-man defense alongside Birk Risa, Isak Helstad Amundsen and Halldor Stenevik, protecting Albert Posiadala between the sticks.

As for Brann, they are missing midfielders Eggert Gudmundsson and Sakarias Opsahl this weekend, although the pair are set to return to action in the coming weeks.

At the moment, Niklas Jensen Wassberg looks set to start in the deepest part of the pitch, with Felix Horn Myhre ahead of him.

Elsewhere, defender Nana Boakye is out for the entire campaign with a knee injury, but fellow midfielders Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen and Vetle Dragsnes will be there to form the heart of the visitors’ defence.

Molde may start range:

Posiadala; Stenevik, Amundsen, Risa, Linnes; Daehli, Breivik; Hestad, Granaas, Spiten-Nysaeter; Kone-Doherty

SK Brann may have a first order:

Nilsen; Holten, Knudsen, Dragsnes, Soltvedt; Wassberg; Ingason, Myhre, Haaland; Mathisen, Holm

We say: Molde 2-1 SK Brann

Molde have been inconsistent in recent months, but their home record remains strong in 2026, and fans will be hoping for another win for the hosts.

In that same vein, Brann has struggled this season, losing four of its last six road games and winning just once in that span.

For data analysis of the most likely results, score lines and more for this game please click here.