Viking vs Rosenborg - Eliteserien

The Eliteserien returns to the home ground on May 1, 2026, where Viking and Rosenborg will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Football throws up these lovely surprises that you are not expecting from time to time." For now, Bloomfield can enjoy the rare privilege of being able to say yes to his family without checking the fixture list first.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Viking sit 2nd, Rosenborg lie 6th, but the Eliteserien has a habit of defying such logic. Viking are operating at a remarkable level, their WDWLW run and a season win rate of 75% placing them among the Eliteserien's very best. The visitors have been picking up results steadily, W over their last five with a campaign win rate of 45%. Where Viking have leaned on defensive discipline, Rosenborg have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. What happened is that when the team was being defeated game after game, they put more money on the table to solve the problem." It did not work.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Viking will look to impose their style on home soil, while Rosenborg are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

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. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Carrick is the ideal man to try and help with that reintegration, having played with the forward at United and coached him when he was on the staff under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. Given the balance of the numbers, Viking should have enough to edge it — a 3-2 victory looks the most likely outcome. With positions in the Eliteserien table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says a verdict on the alleged charges against Manchester City "has taken longer than expected".