Bookmakers slightly favor Valerenga IF to win this Eliteserien ice hockey matchup, with typical pre-game moneyline odds around 2.00 for Valerenga IF and 2.80 for Sparta Sarpsborg based on recent form and home-ice advantage. Valerenga have been strong at home over the past month, while Sparta Sarpsborg’s away results have been more inconsistent, making Valerenga the marginal favorite with DexWin - Best Odds on Your Favourite Sports.

The match between Valerenga IF and Sparta Sarpsborg is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM local time on January 8, 2026, which corresponds to 5:00 PM Central European Time CET if the listed time is in UTC. Fans should confirm closer to faceoff whether the time is given in local Norwegian time or UTC, as Eliteserien games are usually set to CET in winter.

The game will be hosted by Valerenga IF at their home rink in Oslo, Norway, a modern indoor arena known for a passionate home crowd and high-quality ice conditions. The venue typically holds several thousand spectators in a compact bowl-style layout, which creates an intense atmosphere that often helps Valerenga in tight Eliteserien contests.

Given Valerenga IF’s recent home form and Sparta Sarpsborg’s mixed results on the road, a realistic prediction is Valerenga IF to win in regulation at approximate odds of 2.20, with Sparta Sarpsborg around 3.10 and overtime/shootout possibilities near 4.00. Bettors may also look at the total goals market, where a line near 5.5 goals is common in Eliteserien, with a slight lean toward the over due to both teams’ offensive capabilities.

In recent head-to-head meetings over the last few seasons, Valerenga IF and Sparta Sarpsborg have produced a relatively balanced rivalry, with Valerenga IF holding a narrow edge in total wins. Matches are often close, frequently decided by a single goal or going beyond regulation, reflecting how tight these Eliteserien clashes usually are.