Stromsgodset and FK Haugesund lock horns at the Marienlyst Stadion on Monday for round nine of the Norwegian Eliteserien.
Both sides have the same number of points and are only separated by goal difference and a spot in the table.
Match preview
Stromsgodset will be aiming to climb higher this season after finishing seventh last time out, but their start has not been ideal.
The Godset began the campaign with a 4-0 thrashing at Molde but bounced back with three straight wins against Rosenborg, KFUM Oslo and HamKam.
However, they have now failed to win in four matches, drawing with Kristiansund before losing to Bodo/Glimt, Viking and Fredrikstad.
Jorgen Isnes's side sit 10th in the table with 10 points after eight matches, three points clear of Sandefjord who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Next up is a clash against opponents they have lost to in their last three meetings, two of which were at home. Their last home win against the visitors came in 2019, having failed to win the last four times they have hosted this fixture.
Haugesund were just four points above the relegation zone last season and will be hoping to avoid another scrap this time around.
The Seagulls started brightly with an away win against Odd, but a defeat to Lillestrom followed before another victory over Tromso. However, the next four games yielded no wins, with losses against Rosenborg, Molde and KFUM Oslo preceding a draw with HamKam.
Haugesund finally ended their winless run with a 1-0 victory over Kristiansund last time out, leaving them in ninth place, level on 10 points with Rosenborg, Lillestrom and Monday's opponents Stromsgodset.
The Rogaland-based side have the opportunity to win two games in a row for the first time this season and they have been stronger on the road than at home, with two of their three wins this campaign coming away from home.
Team News
Stromsgodset will be without 21-year-old midfielder Ole Kristian Enersen and right-back Ernest Boahene who are both out with knocks until later this month.
Sondre Fosnaess Hanssen is also sidelined with a back injury until early August, last featuring for the Godset in April.
Haugesund have just one player absent for this clash, with goalkeeper Amund Wichne out of the season with an ACL injury.
Sory Diarra is the Seagulls' leading scorer with three goals in eight matches and should lead the line once again on Monday.
Stromsgodset possible starting lineup:
Braatveit; Taaje, Valsvik Dahl; Vilsvik, Stengel, Krasniqi, Tomasson; Therkelsen, Melkersen, Andersen
FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Niyukuri, Baertelsen, Fredriksen, Krusnell; Sauer, Leite, Konradsen; Eskesen, Tounekti, Diarra
We say: Stromsgodset 0-1 FK Haugesund
Haugesund have dominated this fixture in recent years and have enjoyed their last four trips to Stromsgodset. The hosts also seem short of confidence having lost their last three matches. We think the visitors will edge this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
