Sarpsborg 08 will be looking to make it three consecutive victories against Lillestrom when the two sides square off at the Arasen Stadion in round 16 of the Eliteserien on Sunday.
Having failed to win their first six home games in the league, back-to-back victories over KFUM Oslo and Stromsgodset have seen the Kanarifugla turn their home form around and they will be aiming to keep the juggernaut rolling this weekend.
Match preview
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Lillestrom's clash with Rosenborg was suspended on Sunday after fans at the Lerkendal Stadion showed their discontent with the division's use of the Video Assistant Referee by throwing smoke bombs and fish cakes onto the pitch.
Before that, the Kanarifugla saw their three-game winning streak in all competitions come to an end on July 7, when they suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Molde, before bouncing back six days later with a 3-1 home victory over Stromsgodset.
Lillestrom head into the weekend on a run of three wins in their last four Eliteserien matches — scoring seven goals and conceding six in that time — having managed just three wins in their first 10 games to start the season.
This upturn in form has seen Andreas Georgson's men surge into eighth place in the league standings, level on points with seventh-placed Stromsgodset, albeit with one game in hand.
While Lillestrom will look to make it three home wins on the bounce and kickstart their push for European qualification this weekend, they go up against an opposing side who have won each of their last three encounters since a 2-0 loss in July 2022.
Sarpsborg, meanwhile, were left spitting feathers last Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brann when the sides squared off at the Sarpsborg Stadion.
With the game headed for a draw, in-form striker Henrik Wendel Meister struck in the 91st minute to put the hosts in front but substitute Aune Selland Heggebo netted three minutes later to snatch a point for Brann.
Sarpsborg had won their previous two matches, claiming a a 2-1 victory over Haugesund at the Haugesund Stadion to snap a four-match losing streak on July 7, five days before thrashing Rosenborg 4-1 on home turf.
This fine run of results has seen Christian Michelsen's men rise from the automatic relegation zone as they now occupy 14th-place in the table with 17 points from 15 matches and could move up seven positions with all three points this weekend.
Team News
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Lillestrom remain without several key players down the spine of the team as Vebjorn Hoff, Erling Knudtzon and Elias Solberg all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Swedish defender Eric Larson is set to sit out his fourth straight game after coming off injured against KFUM on June 27, while Lars Ranger has been ruled out since March through a cruciate ligament injury.
Former Molde man Martin Roseth has missed each of the last seven games since sustaining a foot problem in May and the 26-year-old is also out of contention for Sunday's game.
Meanwhile, Sarpsborg will take to the pitch without the services of experienced defender Magnar Odegaard, who has been sidelined since coming off injured against Kristiansund on June 2.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Norwegian forward Niklas Sandberg, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up an ankle problem back in May.
With his strike against Brann, Meister now has six goals in Sarpsborg's last three games and we expect the 20-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.
Lillestrom possible starting lineup:
Christiansen; Charles, Garnas, Gabrielsen, Elkaer; Krygard, Lundemo, Asen; Kitolano, Olsen, Va
Sarpsborg 08 possible starting lineup:
Eriksson; Christiansen, Tebo, Skipper, Hiim; Sher, Johansen; Reinhardsen, Halvorsen, Orjasaeter; Meister
We say: Lillestrom 2-1 Sarpsborg 08
Lillestrom and Sarpsborg have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks and we anticipate a thrilling contest at the Arasen Stadion. The Kanarifugla's home advantage gives them a slight edge here and we are backing them to secure all three points, albeit by the odd goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
