- IK Start Kristiansand have failed to win in 5 away league games this season (D1, L4) and have scored just 3 goals on their travels.
- Viking Stavanger have won all 4 of their home games.
- Viking Stavanger are 2nd in the Eliteserien 2026 table with 21 points from 8 games, while IK Start are second-bottom with 4 points from 8 games.
Viking’s vertical, high-pressing 4-3-3 is on a winning streak
This is a big game for both sides in more ways than one, but the two teams could hardly be more different in terms of their tactics and approach to the game. Viking’s playing style has been established since Morten Jensen took over as manager in January 2021. They are a 4-3-3 outfit that presses their opponents very hard, plays at a high tempo, plays vertical football and gets their wide attackers and full-backs into the play early.
Our Viking Stavanger vs IK Start Kristiansand prediction is based largely on these styles: Viking’s approach has proven to be a successful formula so far with Viking going into this game on the back of 5 straight wins in all competitions, including a 3-0 victory at home to Rosenborg and a 2-0 away win at KFUM. However, it has not always produced free-flowing soccer as they do tend to dominate possession and dominate the game state.
Start, by contrast, are a team that usually sit deep, absorb pressure and then look to hit on the break. They’ve been rebuilding since Azar Karadas took charge in February 2024 and have done a decent job in the circumstances, stressing work-rate, defensive structure and the ability to play direct soccer and transition quickly.
Start’s style lends itself to counter-attacking
But they come into this fixture in poor form having lost 3 and tied 2 of their last 5 games and lost their most recent away game 5-0 to Bodoe/Glimt. There is little to get excited about for Start fans right now, but they should not be disheartened by their current position in the league table because, although they are second-bottom, they are 17 points off Viking in 2nd.
This Viking Stavanger vs IK Start Kristiansand preview highlights that this is very much a local rivalry clash and the psychological edge could be important for the hosts, who beat Start 4-0 at home in a 2026 friendly played between the two sides.
Zlatko Tripic is Viking’s creative engine
Viking should dominate this game as they have done every home game so far this season, averaging 3.75 goals scored and conceding 0.75 per game, but Start’s counter-attacking threat should see both teams score. The Viking Stavanger vs IK Start Kristiansand prediction also points out that Viking are 1.21 favorites to win, which is fair given they have won all 4 of their home matches so far and are in possession of the best attack in Norway right now. But Start’s odds to get on the scoresheet are also attractive at 1.83.
Zlatko Tripic, with 7 assists in 5 games, is Viking’s most creative player and the team’s success is built around his contributions. Tom Strannegaard, who has 3 assists in Start’s 4 goals in the last 5 games, is the creative hub of their play and is their best hope of getting on the scoreboard here. For those interested in a good wager, the Viking Stavanger vs IK Start Kristiansand betting tips would suggest backing both teams to score.
Additionally, the final Viking Stavanger vs IK Start Kristiansand prediction is influenced by both teams’ recent form and the standout players on each side.
