Viking FK play host to Kristiansund at the SR-Bank Arena on Sunday in a game that could significantly impact the relegation battle and the fight for the European places in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
The hosts are fourth in the league on 25 points and have played at least a game fewer than those above them, while the visitors are in seventh but hold just a four-point lead over 15th-placed Sarpsborg 08.
Match preview
Since their promotion back into the Eliteserien as champions in 2018, Viking FK have consistently been contenders for European qualification, with the exception of an anomaly in 2022 when they finished 11th.
While Viking FK reached the qualifying rounds of European competitions in both 2020-21 and 2022-23, they have only secured qualification through league standings once with a third-placed finish in 2021, while their earlier qualification came via a Norwegian Cup victory in 2019.
This season, Viking FK find themselves on track to secure qualification through the league once again, currently holding fourth place in the division after 13 matches played.
Morten Jensen will be aware of fifth-placed Fredrikstad FK, who tail his side by just three points, but Jensen's primary focus will be on climbing further up the table, as his team are within three points of second-placed SK Brann and have played at least one fewer game than those above them.
The Dark Blues are the most in-form team in the division with 13 points from their last six outings, joint with third-placed Molde FK, leaving them with plenty of confidence heading into this one.
Their opponents will also be pleased with how their season has unfolded so far, currently holding seventh position in the league in their first season back after being relegated in 2022.
While Kristiansund's position in the standings appears comfortable, they actually lead the relegation zone by just four points, a fact that manager Amund Skiri will certainly be aware of.
A promising start to the term saw Kristiansund lose just one of their first six fixtures, but a subsequent run of five matches without victory, suffering four losses in that time, threatened to derail their campaign.
However, Skiri's men have steadied themselves in their last three outings with two wins and a draw, putting them in fair form as they prepare for their trip to the SR-Bank Arena.
Kristiansund have been poor when playing away from home this season, amassing only five points from seven matches, while Viking FK have lost just once in front of their home crowd.
Team News
The hosts are set to remain without Franco Lino, who is not expected to return from his thigh injury until November, and both Kristoffer Lokberg and Zlatko Tripic, who could make their returns later this month.
They will be boosted by the return of winger Nicholas D'Agostino, who was suspended for the previous game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Kristiansund will have to contend with the absence of centre-back duo Marius Berntsen Olsen and Max Normann Williamsen, with the latter expected to miss the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Skiri could opt to name the same starting 11 that saw his team pick up an impressive 3-1 victory over Europe-chasing Fredrikstad FK in their last outing.
Viking FK possible starting lineup:
Gunnarsson; Bjorshol, Stensness, Langas, Vevatne; Yazbek, Bell, Kvia-Egeskog; Christiansen, Salvesen, D'Agostino
Kristiansund possible starting lineup:
Lansing; Sjatil, Jarl, Aasbak, Rakneberg; Bruseth, Isaksen, Alte; Sivertsen, Mikaelsson, Gueye
We say: Viking FK 2-1 Kristiansund
The hosts come into this game not only as the most in-form side in the division but also as one of the best-performing teams when playing in their home ground, losing just once at the SR-Bank Arena this season, while Kristiansund have managed just one win and two draws on their travels.
The visitors may be coming into this game in a decent vein of form, but we think Viking FK will once again make the most of their home advantage and secure the three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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