Odd take on Valerenga at the Skagerak Arena on Sunday evening, in the latest round of Norwegian Eliteserien fixtures.
The hosts have collected 19 points from their opening 15 games, leaving them ninth in the table, while the visitors head into this weekend's fixture in 14th place.
Match preview
Odd are likely to be a little disappointed by their league position, considering they finished fifth in the Eliteserien last season, however they are still only eight points behind third-placed Brann as we approach the halfway stage of the season.
The main reason the Oddrane have been unable to compete near the top end of the table is their very poor attacking record, having scored only 13 league goals so far this season, the joint-second lowest of any side in the division.
However, Pal Arne Johansen's side have been very solid defensively, shipping just 15 goals in the Eliteserien this term, the joint-third fewest of any side, and they kept another clean sheet in their last match, against Aalesund.
It was a routine victory for Odd against the bottom-of-the-table side, with a second-half brace from Espen Ruud being followed up by a late goal from Diogo Tomas, to secure a 3-0 victory at the Color Line Stadion.
The Oddrane have not been quite as impressive at home, having collected just eight points from their first six games at the Skagerak Arena, however they have a good opportunity to improve that record this weekend, against a struggling side.
Indeed, Valerenga have been very disappointing so far this season, currently sitting in 14th place, just one point above the automatic relegation zone, having collected 11 points from their first 13 games.
While it has been a slow start for the Bohemians, one positive heading into this weekend's game is that they have been a much better team away from home up to this point, picking up eight of their 11 points on their travels.
That said, Geir Bakke's side have not won a league away match since way back at the start of May, when they defeated Rosenborg 3-1, and they have been in very poor form as of late, losing five and drawing one of their last six Eliteserien games.
Last time out, Valerenga suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at home against Molde, after recording just one shot on target in the entire match, and a much-improved performance will be needed if they are to take anything from this weekend's game.
Team News
Odd's only notable absentee is 16-year-old winger Fanuel Tewelde, who is set to miss his fifth straight game due to injury, having scored his first professional goal in his last outing, against Sandefjord.
With his side comfortably dispatching of Aalesund in the last match, Johansen is unlikely to make any changes to his side, with a 3-4-3 formation likely to be implemented once again.
As for Valerenga, Daniel Hakans, Aaron Olsen and Leonard Zuta remain on the treatment table, with the latter being ruled out of the 4-0 loss against Molde due to injury, meaning Simen Juklerod is set to keep his place at left-back.
Given the Bohemians' toothless attacking display against Molde, striker Seedy Jatta could be replaced by Torgeir Borven, while Filip Thorvaldsen could come in for Mohamed Ofkir at left-wing.
Odd possible starting lineup:
Wahlstedt; Solholm, Hagen, Tomas; Ruud, Owusu, Owusu, Baccay; Gjengaar, Jorgensen, Midtskogen
Valerenga Fotball possible starting lineup:
Sjoeng; Hedenstad, Kjelsen, Oldrup Jensen, Jukleroed; Strand, Thorvaldsen, Riisnaes, Bjordal, Eng; Borven
We say: Odd 3-0 Valerenga Fotball
Games involving Odd are very often low-scoring affairs, so we do not expect there to be many goals in this weekend's game, but the hosts should be able to pick up all three points.
The Oddrene head into this game fresh off the back of a comfortable 3-0 win, while the visitors suffered a heavy 4-0 loss last time out, so it would not be a surprise if it is a similar scoreline this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
