Kongsvinger and Stabæk sit level at the front of the runner-up market because both clubs have posted strong records through the first 17 matchdays of the 2026 OBOS-ligaen, sitting on 36 points apiece behind only Haugesund. Stabæk’s recent five-match winning streak and superior goal difference have kept them in contention, while Kongsvinger’s attacking output has maintained their position in the top three. Several other sides with prior Eliteserien experience—Strømsgodset, Odd, and others—remain within striking distance on points, creating a congested mid-table that limits any single team’s separation. With roughly half the season remaining, small swings in form, injuries, or head-to-head results can still shift the final order among this group of promotion-chasing sides.