Preview: Lillestrom vs. Molde - prediction, team news, lineups

Relegation-threatened Lillestrom enter Sunday's round 18 Eliteserien match against Molde keen to extend their undefeated streak at Arasen.

The hosts have secured seven points from nine on their ground and could improve on that positive record against an opponent who have failed to win in back-to-back road matches.

Match preview

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Despite suffering a loss at Kristiansund the previous week, Lillestrom will be pleased to return to their stomping ground on Sunday as they aim to extend their undefeated sequence.

Robin Asterhed, still interim boss since Andreas Georgson left for Manchester United, hopes the Canaries improve on a run that has witnessed wins over KFUM and Stromsgodset before a 2-2 draw against Sarpsborg in late July.

However, it is not lost on anyone that Lillestrom are winless since Georgson's departure at the end of last month, and Fugla head into this weekend looking to snap that sequence against Europe-chasing opposition.

Undermining their prospects is their propensity to concede goals, with the team's 12-match league run without a clean sheet predating the previous head coach's exit.

A loss to the side that beat them a little over a month ago could see Fugla slide into the bottom three positions if results elsewhere are unfavourable.

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Molde may have failed to win in two consecutive road matches, but they beat this weekend's opponents 3-0 on July 7, even if that match was played in More og Romsdal.

That victory was MFK's last in the Eliteserien, as a goalless encounter at Fredrikstad has been followed by losses to KFUM (3-2) and Viking (1-0).

Molde's league dip has coincided with the start of their Europa League journey, as they aim to navigate the qualifying rounds before advancing to the competition's expanded format.

Having navigated the test posed by Silkebord to secure a 5-4 aggregate triumph, a 3-0 first-leg success over Belgium's Cercle Brugge on Thursday puts the Norwegian side in the driver's seat in their third qualifying round ahead of next week's reverse fixture.

It remains to be seen how continental action affects this weekend's preparation for Erling Moe's side, who have a seemingly unassailable first-leg advantage.

Team News

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Elias Solberg, uninvolved this season, remains doubtful because of a foot injury, while Martin Ove Roseth (foot) and Erling Knudtzon (leg) are not anticipated to play for Lillestrom this weekend.

Marius Lundemo has netted in consecutive home fixtures against Stromsgodset and Sarpsborg and the midfield man could find the net for the third match running on home soil.

Molde's Fredrik Gulbrandsen has been uninvolved since the start of June and the injured forward is not expected back this weekend.

Veton Berisha joins Gulbrandsen on the sidelines as the away side look to snap their winless league sequence without two potential match-winners.

It leaves eight-goal forwards Kristian Eriksen and Magnus Eikrem with the responsibility of ending the club's run without maximum points.

Lillestrom possible starting lineup: Christiansen; Charles, Garnas, Gabrielsen, Elkaer; Krygard, Lundemo, Asen; Va, Olsen, Kitolano

Molde possible starting lineup: Posiadala; Amundsen, Lund, Hagelskjaer; Stenevik, Kaasa, Daehli, Breivik, Haugen; Eriksen, Eikrem

We say: Lillestrom 1-1 Molde

Despite avoiding defeat in their last three home games, Lillestrom had failed to notch maximum points in their preceding five home matches, suggesting the abnormality of the ongoing undefeated sequence.

Regardless, Molde's seeming prioritisation of the Europa League could mean that run extends to four without losing on Sunday with both sides sharing the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.