EDIT: Kjell André Thu has now signed with Jerv as their head coach. This assessment was written two matches into the OBOS season.

1: Lillestrøm

Thu’s assessment: They should go straight up as number 1 considering the resources and budget they have. There’s no doubt about it. That squad should have the capacity to plow through OBOS. The only wild card is that it becomes a “cup final” for all teams when they face Lillestrøm, which adds a little extra pressure, and nothing comes easy for Lillestrøm. It will be a circus in the city, and many teams can surely rally a bit more against LSK, but still, they should have enough quality to handle it well.

Watch out for: Félix Vá (wing, 26 years old). Fast and agile. He will be running circles around many full backs in OBOS.

Status before the summer window: If LSK is going to bring in anyone this summer, it has to be players who are already at the Eliteserie level. They are going to go all-in to get promoted, just like Vålerenga in 2024, and that could very well mean 3-4 signings this summer if the need or opportunities arise.

2: Stabæk

Thu’s assessment: A ridiculously strong squad for being in OBOS has stated that they aim for promotion. Everything else is simply not good enough. They have a wealth of experience with players like Mads Nielsen, Sondre Rossbach, Jørgen Skjelvik, Nicolai Næss, Andreas Hoven, Kasper Pedersen, and Kristian Onsrud, and at the same time, one of Norway’s best academies where talent keeps emerging. There are very few clubs in Norway that produce more and better talents than Stabæk. Everyone is talking about Oskar Spiten-Nysæter, and you also have players like Sebastian Olderheim and Rasmus Egge Vinge. But the one I find most exciting is left-back Aleksander Andresen.

Watch out for: Aleksander Andresen (left-back, 20 years old).

Status before the summer window: If Stabæk sees they are in striking distance of promotion, they could very well use funds to strengthen further.

3: Aalesund

Thu’s assessment: Rekdal and Frigård tightened things up nicely when they came in, and Aalesund was one of the best teams in the fall. It looks like they have a solid squad after some cleanup. With those two coaches, they should be able to compete right at the top. Is that good enough for the top 2? It very well might be. Aalesund is a huge club with a lot of engagement that arguably belongs in the top league.

Watch out for: Cláudio Braga (forward, 25 years old).

Status before the summer window: If Aalesund is in a good position for promotion, they likely have the opportunity to strengthen with 1-3 players.

4: Odd

Thu’s assessment: In principle, Odd should go right back up. They are a large club with plenty of resources, and an infrastructure and academy that are on a completely different level than most OBOS teams. But I don’t think the squad is good enough to cruise straight through OBOS. There has been poor player logistics for a long time, but it could quickly improve with Espen Bugge Pettersen coming in from Sandefjord as the general manager. There are probably many who envy Odd the squad they have, but I’m unsure if it’s enough for promotion.

Watch out for: Oliver Jordan Hagen (right winger, 18 years old).

Status before the summer window: Odd may have resources to strengthen this summer if they need to.

5: Kongsvinger

Thu’s assessment: Kongsvinger has a solid squad and is a team that should be competing at the top. They could very well be good enough to challenge the big teams. Teams that should be fighting at the top. They might have a strong enough squad to challenge the other big teams.

Watch out for: Noa Williams (left winger, 23 years old).

Status before the summer window: I bet they have some funds to strengthen. At the same time, they have several players who could easily be sold, such as the aforementioned Noa Williams. Fredrik Holmé is potentially ready for bigger tasks if he has a good and injury-free season. Andres Dybevik (27) is very good, but not quite at the ideal age for a sale.

6: Egersund

Thu’s assessment: Has had a good start and the squad looks solid. It was important that they brought in two offensive reinforcements at the end of the winter window in Daniel Job and Mathias Sauer. This provides better depth in the attack line. The midfield looks very strong, and I feel that Egersund has done a lot right this winter. Could they be the “best of the rest”? If they find their rhythm, they could very well be in the mix for 5th/6th place and the playoffs.

Egersund has increased their budget with millions in sales last summer. I hope and believe they are using the money wisely and sensibly. They are very selective and will be cautious about making any purchases unless they are completely sure that a signing strengthens the team.

Bjørn Mæland was injured, but the two center-backs against Åsane (Jonsson and Jenssen) looked solid. Fanuel Ghebreyohannes at right back recently made his debut for the U19 national team and is very exciting. Filip Oprea, who came from Tromsø, also looks good at left back. It’s unfortunate about the injury just before the season starts for Sander Åke Andreas Lønning (goalkeeper). I’ve heard from several that he looked very good. But they have two pretty good goalkeepers as well, so it worked out fine.

Watch out for: Fanuel Ghebreyohannes (right back, 18 years old).

Status before the summer window: Egersund has many loan players until summer, and that’s where the challenges may lie. If they play well, they could be called back quickly and need to be replaced. I believe and hope they learned a bit from last summer’s window when we were in 2nd place and sold ourselves out of the title race. It wasn’t necessarily a mistake in the long term, but they should focus on strengthening and have the finances to do so—if they want to.

7: Start

Thu’s assessment: Good start. Strong autumn season. Azar Karadas managed to turn things around last summer when Start changed their playing style and brought in some new players. They have built on that now and look solid. Big club, proud history, and tradition in the walls. But how good will it be when we tally up in the end? I think it will be a transitional year for Start, but they could easily mix it up in the upper half.

Watch out for: Eirik Schulze (Central midfielder, 32 years old).

Status before the summer window: This year is about building the squad for Start and establishing themselves a bit higher.

8: Lyn

Here’s my assessment: They have enjoyed consistent success for three seasons. Could this be the season it all comes to a halt? The team is largely unchanged, and Lyn is very well-coordinated and plays together effectively. Halvorsen has done a commendable job here and has had time to implement his system. The question mark is likely the depth of the squad. Is it sufficient to last an entire season? They have a significant advantage at home with many supporters backing them, but I doubt they can replicate a 5th place finish.

Watch out for: Eron Isufi (DM, 17 years old).

Status before the summer window: From what I understand, Lyn doesn’t have much funding to strengthen the team. For them, it’s probably more relevant to sell than to buy. The hottest prospects are likely William Sell, Julius Skaug, Mathias Johansen, and Herman Solberg Nilsen.

9: Moss

Thu’s assessment: Moss has lost several key players. I’m a bit uncertain whether the quality of those who have come in is good enough to replace those who have departed. It’s unfortunate about the injury to Noah Alexandersson; that’s really a shame. I believe Moss will face a tougher reality and that it will be challenging to replicate last year’s 3rd place finish. However, they have significant advantages in that Myhre is still the coach and much of the central lineup remains intact. Moss will accumulate many points, but not enough to contend at the top.

Watch out for: Bo Hegland (OM/forward, 20 years old). He’s likely on the radar for many.

Status before the summer window:  I’m uncertain here. I don’t think they’re going to throw money around, exactly. They have a young and exciting squad and will likely continue to find unknown talents and develop them further.

10: Sogndal

Thu’s assessment: A club with traditions and history in its walls. A new, skilled coach (Luis Pimenta) who has gotten a lot out of several youth national teams. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Traditionally, Sogndal is resourceful, but they will probably need to tighten the purse strings a bit, and they have a younger team now. Still, they have an okay budget to be in OBOS. Sogndal’s facilities are fantastic, and a lot is in place for them to be a top club, but I don’t think the squad is good enough to fight at the top this year.

Watch out for: Jacob Blixt Flaten (central midfielder, 23 years old). I’m really fond of him.

Status before the summer window: It really depends on whether they can get their finances in order. Will they have any sales? They will definitely be on the lookout for reinforcements if they find themselves in a bind and feel pressured.

11: Ranheim

Thu’s assessment: A new, young coaching team led by Christian Eggen Rismark, but with plenty of experience from sports director Kåre Ingebrigtsen. Big changes in the squad with many untested youngsters. It will be exciting to see how all this plays out. I believe that Ranheim should initially be fighting for the upper half, but it could be tough this year.

Watch out for: Áki Samuelsen (left winger, 23 years old).

Status before the summer window: I bet they have the means to bring in players if they find some who are good enough and feel they have a need. They received a decent sum for John Hou Sæter.

12: Åsane

Thu’s assessment: They likely have a plan to climb the table after a few tough years. With an experienced squad, they started strong against Kongsvinger (1-1) but looked weaker against Egersund (0-2). It’s hard to predict, but I believe they’ll gather enough points to stay safe.

Watch out for: Sebastian Haugland (forward, 28). It’s great to see “late bloomers” from lower divisions. I hope he continues to score goals.

Status before the summer window: It will be interesting to see. I’m a bit unsure about their financial resources. They might be looking to strengthen, especially if they find themselves fighting at the bottom. Two years ago, they made summer signings and managed to stay up after a tough spring season.

13: Raufoss

Thus assessment: Difficult to categorize. They were occasionally strong last year. New coach (Tom Dent). Trying to adopt a more attacking style. Raufoss loses many of their best players each year, but they excel in the transfer market, finding players they can develop. They’ve had an okay start but are struggling financially and may face challenges. But I think they’ll hold on – they have a strong culture for it.

Watch out for: Jan Inge Solemsløkk Lynum (central midfielder, 25). A key player for the team whom I really like.

Status before the summer window: No budget to spend. More likely to sell.

14: Hødd

Thu’s assessment: A club with a rich tradition that impressively danced right back into OBOS. In Hødd, they have top-level football ingrained in their DNA. A young and promising coach who will get the most out of the group. An exciting team that will be tough to face in many matches.

Watch out for: Ola Visted (central midfielder, 20 years old).

Status before the summer window: I suspect they have the resources and means if they see the need to strengthen a bit. They might very well have to do that to stay in the league.

15: Skeid

Thu’s assessment: Promoted right back up – that’s impressive! They are a very playing-oriented team, and it worked well in the 2nd division. But will it work in OBOS? Is it good enough? I think they will have a tough time. They are a club without significant financial resources but have a strong influx of talent.

Watch out for: Luca Høyland (center-back, 18 years old).

Status before the summer window: There are quite a few questions here. Do they have the opportunity to bring in much? Are Skeid attractive enough to recruit players who can strengthen them enough to stay in the league? They will definitely try!

16: Mjøndalen

Thu’s assessment: They had to build a completely new team after insane budget cuts. It’s simply impressive if they manage to stay up, but there’s nothing to suggest they will. The only thing that can save Mjøndalen is an “us against the world” mentality. This can certainly create a tight-knit group that works their socks off, and they have that culture in Mjøndalen. They fit well as the underdog, but in the long run, I believe the quality will be too poor.

Watch out for: Nickolay Årsbog (left winger, 21 years old).

Status before the summer window: Mjøndalen is currently mostly recruiting from PostNord and the 3rd division. Maybe they’ll bring in some young loan players from the Eliteserien who need playing time? There probably isn’t room for much else. I’ll be surprised if there’s a lot of activity in the transfer market in Mjøndalen this summer.