Viking vs Sandefjord prediction 18.07.2026 | Eliteserien
Viking
Kick off:
Date:
Sandefjord
1
1.29
X
6.16
2
9.30
Contents
- Competition: Eliteserien
- Date: Saturday, 18th July, 2026
- Kickoff: 17:00 UK / 18:00 CEST
- Venue: Lyse Arena (Stavanger)
On Saturday evening, the reigning champs, Viking, will welcome Sandefjord in probably the most interesting game of the Eliteserien round this weekend. Both teams are coming to the game after poor results in recent games, as Viking lost 1:0 to Sarpsborg 08, while Sandefjord drew 2:2 with Ham Kam.
Let's break down the game and find the best possible bet for this Eliteserien tie.
Viking vs Sandefjord Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Viking
3 : 1
Sandefjord
Eliteserien
-
Viking
3 : 2
Sandefjord
Eliteserien
-
Sandefjord
0 : 3
Viking
Eliteserien
-
Viking
4 : 3
Sandefjord
Eliteserien
-
Sandefjord
1 : 2
Viking
Eliteserien
-
Sandefjord
2 : 2
Viking
Eliteserien
Last season, these teams met twice, with Viking winning both games - 2:1 on the road and 3:1 at home. Looking further back, Viking were significantly better, as they secured wins in six consecutive games.
When it comes to goals, the last ten h2h games ended with three or more goals, and both teams scored in eight of them.
Viking team overview
Viking had a magnificent last season, winning their ninth-ever title and first since the 1991 season! This year, even though the bookies heavily favored Bodo/Glimt to win the title before the season started, Viking are once again looking like the best team in Eliteserien. At the moment, they are in 2nd place with 27 points - one point away from Tromso, but with three games fewer played. So, the reigning champs have a lot to be satisfied with this season.
Probably the team's best central defender, Henrik Falchener, should be ready for the upcoming game after spending the previous period with Norway's national team. He played only 66 minutes at the WC, but he is one of the best players on Viking, and his return should be a huge plus for this team.
Meanwhile, Martin Roseth and Veton Berisha, who missed the previous games with injuries, should remain sidelined.
Last matches of Viking
-
Sarpsborg 08
1 : 0
Viking
Eliteserien
-
SonderjyskE
1 : 1
Viking
Club Friendlies 3
-
Kristiansund
1 : 2
Viking
Eliteserien
-
Viking
6 : 3
IK Start
Eliteserien
-
KFUM
0 : 2
Viking
Eliteserien
Viking lineup
Goalkeeper
-
30
Lubomir Belko
Defenders
-
5
Henrik Heggheim
-
6
Gianni Stensness
-
25
Henrik Falchener
-
28
Kristoffer Haugen
Midfielders
-
8
Joe Bell
-
7
Kristoffer Askildsen
-
26
Simen Kvia-Egeskog
Forwards
-
23
Niklas Fuglestad
-
20
Peter Christiansen
-
10
Zlatko Tripic
Sandefjord team overview
Sandefjord had one of their best seasons last year, finishing 5th and coming fairly close to securing European Qualifiers. However, this year, they return to their reality - which is to be around the middle of the league table. After 12 rounds, they sit in 9th place with 15 points in 12 rounds. At the moment, they are much closer to the relegation zone than the European spots.
Midfielder Jakob Vester received a red card in the previous game against Ham Kam and will serve his suspension against Viking.
On 14th and 16th July, the club added defender Dewon Koswal and attacking winger Mathias Sauer. However, since they just arrived, we do not expect them to get too much playing time.
Last matches of Sandefjord
-
Sandefjord
2 : 2
HamKam
Eliteserien
-
Molde
2 : 1
Sandefjord
Eliteserien
-
Sandefjord
1 : 1
Fredrikstad
Eliteserien
-
Lillestrom
3 : 1
Sandefjord
Eliteserien
-
Sandefjord
2 : 0
Kristiansund
Eliteserien
Sandefjord lineup
Goalkeeper
-
30
Elias Hadaya
Defenders
-
4
Fredrik Carson Pedersen
-
44
Xander Lambrix
-
47
Stian Kristiansen
-
3
Vetle Walle Egeli
Midfielders
-
20
Marcus Melchior
-
14
Edvard Sundbø Pettersen
-
6
Sander Risan Mørk
Forwards
-
7
Evangelos Patoulidis
-
11
Nikolaj Möller
-
19
Bendik Berntsen
Prediction
Viking have been the best team in the league this season and last season. They won nine out of 11 games this season and have also won all five home league games. They were simply magnificent at Lyse Arena, beating teams like Bodo/Glimt, Brann, Rosenborg, and Start with a magnificent +15 goal difference. A team that can win 5:0 at home against Bodo/Glimt can surely dominate teams like Sandefjord.
Sandefjord are in terrible form, winning just two points in the past four games. But their worst performances came on the road, where they strung three losses while losing by 2+ goals on two occasions.
Moreover, Viking dominated their h2h duels, winning six straight games, while covering the -1.5 AH spread on three occasions.
Considering all the above, we believe the hosts should dominate and eventually win by a two-goal or more difference.
3 Reasons why Viking should win and cover the -1.5 AH spread
- Viking won all five home games, while covering the -1.5 AH spread on four occasions
- Viking won nine out of 11 Eliteserien games
- Sandefjord lost the last three games
Main prediction Viking - Sandefjord
AH1 (-1.5)
Best Odds:
Megapari
1.80
Viking vs Sandefjord standings in Eliteserien
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tromsø | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 22 - 14 | +8 | 28 |
| 2 | Viking | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 29 - 11 | +18 | 27 |
| 3 | Bodø / Glimt | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 30 - 11 | +19 | 26 |
| 4 | Lillestrøm | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 19 - 11 | +8 | 22 |
| 5 | Molde | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 20 - 15 | +5 | 20 |
| 6 | HamKam | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 - 18 | +1 | 18 |
| 7 | Sarpsborg 08 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 14 - 16 | -2 | 17 |
| 8 | Vålerenga | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 19 - 22 | -3 | 17 |
| 9 | Brann | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 26 - 21 | +5 | 16 |
| 10 | Sandefjord | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 12 - 15 | -3 | 15 |
| 11 | Fredrikstad | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 15 - 22 | -7 | 14 |
| 12 | Rosenborg | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 - 18 | -6 | 12 |
| 13 | KFUM | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 - 19 | -7 | 12 |
| 14 | Aalesund | 13 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 18 - 28 | -10 | 12 |
| 15 | Kristiansund | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 11 - 21 | -10 | 11 |
| 16 | Start | 13 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 - 30 | -16 | 7 |