Bodo/Glimt will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Norwegian Eliteserien table when they travel to the Release Arena to take on Sandefjord on Sunday evening.
The hosts are not faring quite as well as we approach the halfway stage of the campaign, currently sitting in 15th place, having collected just 10 points from their opening 13 games.
Match preview
Sandefjord are sitting inside the relegation zone ahead of Sunday's game, having picked up just 10 points in their opening 13 games, however they could move out of the bottom three with a victory this weekend.
The Whalers are just three points behind 13th-placed HamKam, and they have a game in hand at their disposal, so they could still mount a push for the top half if they have a solid second half of the campaign.
The main reason Hans Erik Odegaard's side have struggled so far this season is their very poor away record, taking just two points from their opening eight matches on the road so far this season.
Last time out, Sandefjord lost 4-2 away at Lillestrom, their fifth-straight defeat on their travels, so they will be happy to be back on home soil at the Release Arena this weekend.
In their last two home games, the Whalers have picked up four points, recording an impressive 4-1 victory against Odd at the start of June, which should give them confidence heading into Sunday's encounter, however they will be well aware they face a very tricky test.
Indeed, Bodo/Glimt are feared opponents in the Eliteserien, given that they are currently top of the table, nine points clear of second-placed Viking, having taken 38 points from their opening 15 games.
Not only that, the Yellow Horde have a fantastic recent record against Sandefjord, winning five of the last six matches between the two sides, most recently recording a 4-1 victory at the Aspmyra Stadion last season.
Glimt won the Eliteserien for the first time in 2020, before following that up with another title in 2021, however they finished second in the 2022 campaign, 18 points behind title-winning Molde, and they have done a fantastic job to bridge the gap this season.
Kjetil Knutsen's side are currently 12 points clear of Molde, but the reigning champions are beginning to find their form, collecting 22 points in their last 10 games, the joint-second highest total in the Eliteserien, so it is vital Bodo/Glimt continue performing the way they have been.
In their last match, the Yellow Horde continued their solid run of form by defeating FK Haugesund 2-1, courtesy of second-half goals from Faris Pemi and Sondre Sorli, and they are now tasked with following that up with a victory on the road.
Team News
Sandefjord have no fresh injury concerns, but midfielder Simon Amin is still unavailable, having missed the last 11 games through injury, so Keanin Ayer Boya, Filip Ottosson and Aleksander Nilsson are set to make up the midfield three.
Striker Alexander Ruud Tveter has now gone seven games without a goal, so it would not be a surprise if Franklin Nyenetue is given the nod, having scored in the 3-2 loss against Haugesund last month.
As for Bodo/Glimt, Brice Wembangomo remains on the treatment table, having missed the last five games, meaning 19-year-old Fredrik Sjovold is likely to keep his place at right-back.
Nino Zugelj missed the last match due to an injury, and Sondre Sorli scored his second goal of the season after being drafted in as a replacement, so the 27-year-old should start at right-wing.
Sandefjord possible starting lineup:
Keto; Loftesnes-Bjune, Taaje, Foss, Smeulers; Ayer Boya, Ottosson, Nilsson; Koomson, Al Saed, Nyenetue
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sjovold, Bjortuft, Lode, Bjorkan; Gronbaek, Berg, Saltnes; Sorli, Pemi, Pellegrino
We say: Sandefjord 0-2 Bodo/Glimt
In recent times, Bodo/Glimt have rarely racked up victories by huge margin, however they are normally good enough to get over the line and take all three points.
Against a struggling Sandefjord side, the Yellow Horde should have no trouble recording their third win on the bounce in the Eliteserien.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
