Start vs Ham-Kam - Eliteserien

The Eliteserien returns to the home ground on October 11, 2026, where Start and Ham-Kam will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Manchester United drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain in their fourth pre-season fixture of the summer on Saturday.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Start sit 16th, Ham-Kam lie 10th, but the Eliteserien has a habit of defying such logic. It has been a torrid run for the hosts, WLWLL in their last five and a season win rate of just 20% that has the alarm bells ringing. The visitors have been a mixed bag on the road, LLDLD in their last five and a win rate of 30% reflecting their unpredictability. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. Tim Sherwood makes his predictions for the new Premier League season, including who he thinks will make the top four in the table.

The touchline duel between the two managers adds another layer of intrigue, with both likely to tweak their setups in search of a decisive edge. In attack, Brazilian forward Kaua Elias has emerged as a name of interest, with United scouts watching the Shakhtar Donetsk striker after his hat‑trick against Kudrivka on Monday.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer Amin Chiakha, with 12 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Mbeumo and Amad have the right flank covered, while United really need an out-and-out centre-forward to replace Zirkzee, if he leaves.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. The numbers tilt towards Ham-Kam, and a 1-2 away win looks the more probable outcome. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the Eliteserien picture. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.