Start vs Viking prediction 01.08.2026 | Eliteserien

Start arrive with badly needed momentum. Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Kristiansund lifted them to 10 points and cut the gap to safety, with Tom Strannegård scoring the stoppage-time winner. However, it was only their second league victory so far.

At home, Start must be braver and the crowd can certainly provide a lift, yet the priority is to survive Viking’s early pressure without becoming passive from the opening whistle. Their home record at Sparebanken Sør Arena has been slightly more encouraging, with only two defeats in six matches so far.

Eirik Schulze started in Kristiansund and midfielder Steve Mvoué recently extended his contract; new Swedish forward Santino Samuyiwa has joined, while striker Alexander Gurendal has gone on loan. No fresh, club-confirmed Start injuries had been publicly announced, so final availability should be checked with the matchday squad.

Viking’s 1-1 draw at Aalesund last Sunday cost them top spot, but their position remains formidable: 34 points from 14 games. Their spring scoring pace was exceptional - 29 goals in their first 10 league fixtures - and Christiansen led the Eliteserien scoring charts in May. 

The champions’ recent away form has been less formidable, with just one win from their last three matches on the road. However, their four-match away winning streak before the 1-0 defeat to Sarpsborg showed that Viking can be equally effective away from home, with little sign that hostile crowds unsettle them.

There are genuine selection issues up front. Henrik Falchener remains absent, and forwards Romano Postema, Veton Berisha and Nick D’Agostino were all reported injured before Aalesund; Postema was hoped to be available for Start.