Haugesund — Vålerenga : Match Preview and Prediction for August 24,2025

Haugesund’s Dire Situation

The facts are glaringly obvious, practically screaming. Haugesund currently occupies the absolute bottom spot in the league standings. With just one victory, two draws, and a staggering fifteen losses in eighteen matches, their performance isn’t just statistics; it’s a stark verdict. They’ve conceded 46 goals, the worst defensive record in the Eliteserien, while managing to score a paltry eight. These numbers paint a painful picture, making a case against them a logical choice. The trend is relentless: Haugesund has suffered defeat in 13 of their last 15 fixtures.

A Deceptive Victory

Indeed, a fortnight ago, they secured a 3-2 victory against Sarpsborg 08, marking their first home win of the season. However, do not let the scoreline mislead you. The match statistics reveal complete opponent domination: 7 shots to 28, and an Expected Goals (xG) ratio of 1.78 against 3.29. This was less of a triumph and more of a statistical anomaly, a “miracle” unlikely to be repeated. Coach Toni Korkeakunnas himself admitted post-match that a significantly improved performance would be essential to stand a chance against Vålerenga.

Internal Strife and Injury Crisis

The club is plagued by internal issues, compounded by a severe injury crisis that has decimated the squad. The infirmary is currently occupied by key defender Mikkel Fischer, starting player Troy Nyhammer, as well as Parfait Bizoza, Håvard Karlsen, Anders Bondhus, Vegard Solheim, and Martin Samuelsen. Furthermore, Runar Espejord, while having returned to training, is not yet fit for the match. With such an extensive list of absentees, harbouring any serious aspirations for this game would be simply naive.

Vålerenga’s Current Form

Now, let’s turn our attention to Vålerenga. This team is clearly in excellent form. Their recent match saw them deliver a convincing 4-0 thrashing of Sarpsborg 08. They demonstrated complete dominance across all metrics: 19 shots on goal, 8 on target, and an xG of 2.10 compared to their opponent’s 0.87. Their attack is firing on all cylinders. Elias Sørensen netted a brace, Vinicius scored a superb free-kick, and Mohamed Ofkir also found the back of the net. This highlights their offensive versatility, with threats emanating from multiple players. New goalkeeper Oscar Hedvall has played two matches, winning both, which significantly boosts confidence in their defensive setup.

Head-to-Head Dominance

The most compelling argument is their last head-to-head encounter, which took place just a month ago on July 20th. Vålerenga comprehensively defeated Haugesund with a 3-0 scoreline. Once again, the numbers from that game speak volumes: 30 shots to 7, 13 on target to 4, and an xG of 2.59 against 0.41. This was an outright demolition, unequivocally demonstrating the current chasm in class between these two teams.

Squad Strength Despite Absences

Yes, Vålerenga also faces some setbacks, with key midfielder Fidel Ambina suspended. However, compared to Haugesund’s severe squad collapse, this appears to be a minor inconvenience. The team has already demonstrated its ability to cope with individual absences, notably in the match against Sarpsborg where Carl Lange and Elias Sørensen returned to the starting lineup, highlighting their squad depth.