Reigning champions Bodo/Glimt are set to host their closest challengers SK Brann at Aspmyra Stadion in Norway's Eliteserien on Sunday, and victory for either side could have serious ramifications in the title race.
After 13 games the home side are first in the table with 30 points, while the visitors are second with 28 points after 14 matches, and both teams will be keen to hold onto the league's two UEFA Champions League playoff spots.
Match preview
The hosts are looking to win their fourth title in five years after winning the league for the first time in 2020, before also prevailing in 2021 and 2023.
Last season Bodo/Glimt accumulated 70 points, averaging 2.5 points per game, and while they are only averaging 2.31 this term it is still an impressive rate.
The Yellow Horde won their last two league games but prior to this they did draw two and lose one.
It should be noted that they did begin the season exceptionally well and won seven of their first eight Eliteserien games.
Manager Kjetil Knutsen will be hoping that his side's recent victories can be the beginning of a stretch of similarly positive results.
Knutsen was assistant manager of Bodo/Glimt to Aasmund Bjorkan in 2017, but he took charge in January 2018 after Bjorkan became sports director at the club.
Under his management this season Bodo/ Glimt have scored 26 goals and conceded just nine times, the joint best offensive and best defensive records in the entire division.
Opponents Brann have played a game more than their hosts but are still averaging an impressive two points per game.
Despite this, if Brann's points return was extrapolated over the course of the season, their tally would not have been enough to dethrone any of Bodo/Glimt's title winning sides.
However, they are four points clear of third-placed Molde, who remain outside the division's two Champions League playoff spots.
Brann drew their last league game 0-0 against Stromsgodset on June 28, and prior to this they won seven of 10 matches.
The visitors have been difficult to beat away from home for some time considering they have lost just once on the road in their last 13 away top-flight fixtures.
Manager Eirik Horneland has been in charge since August 2021 and had previously worked as an assistant at the club to Kare Ingebrigtsen from October 2020 until his appointment.
Under Horneland's leadership, Brann won the Norwegian second division in 2022 and finished second last term in their first season back in the Eliteserien.
His side have also scored 22 goals and conceded 13 times, and these are the league's joint third-best offensive and third-best defensive records.
Team News
The hosts come into the game without midfielder Syver Skundberg Skeide, who is absent as a result of a cruciate ligament injury and is not expected back until August.
Striker Kasper Waarts Hogh was subbed off with an injury on June 28 against Sarpsborg 08 and is not scheduled to return until later this month.
Forward Sondre Sorli has not featured since May 12 due to an ankle injury and is also not expected back until sometime later this month.
More positively, while striker Runar Espejord and midfielder Sondre Brunstad Fet are doubts for Sunday's clash, they are not yet ruled out.
As for Brann, midfielder Niklas Jensen Wassberg has not played a game for his club since April 14 and is likely to be out until September due to a knee injury.
Elsewhere, Mads Sande suffered a cruciate ligament injury and has not appeared since September 3, 2023, but he could return to the team in the near future.
Jonas Torsvik and Moonga Simba have been struggling with injuries, but they are not ruled out and could still feature.
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sjoevold, Moe, Gundersen, Soerensen; Saltness, Berg, Groenbaek; Evjen, Mikkelsen, Hauge
SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Dyngeland; Crone, Knudsen, Larsen, Soltvedt; Kornvig, Nilsen, Myhre; Mathisen, Finne, Castro
We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-1 SK Brann
Although Brann have done well in the league since returning to the top flight, it is difficult to ignore the strong pedigree of Bodo/Glimt.
Additionally, given the hosts have the league's best offensive and defensive records, it is fair to say that they come into Sunday's clash as favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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