Two sides who could do well with a win lock horns in round 17 of the Norwegian Eliteserien when Stromsgodset play host to Valerenga Fotball at the Marienlyst Stadion on Saturday.
Both sides, who are currently on a run of three league defeats on the bounce, will head into the weekend looking to end this dry spell and get their season back on track.
Match preview
Stromsgodset were left empty handed once again as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Aalesunds when the sides squared off last Sunday.
Bjorn Martin Kristensen came up clutch at the Color Line Stadion as he netted the only goal of the game in the 93rd minute to hand the Tangotroyene a deserved win.
This was a third consecutive 1-0 defeat for Jorgen Isnes's men, who have now failed to find the back of the net in three consecutive games for the first time since October 2021.
Stromsgodset have now lost eight of their 16 league matches while claiming six wins and two draws to collect 20 points and sit 10th in the Eliteserien table, seven points above the relegation zone.
Like this weekend's host, Valerenga Fotball failed to stop the rot last Saturday as they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Sandefjord Fotball at the Intility Arena.
Filip Ottosson almost single-handedly put Valerenga to the sword as he netted one goal and set up the subsequent two, including Franklin Daddysboy Nyenetue's 94th-minute winner.
Following that result, Geir Bakke's men have now lost seven of their last eight league matches, with a goalless draw against Tromso at the Alfheim Stadion on July 9 being the exception.
With 11 points from 15 matches, the Enga Val'enga are currently in 15th in the Eliteserien standings, just one point above rock-bottom Aalesunds, albeit with one game in hand.
While Valerenga will be looking to begin their surge from the bottom end of the table, next up is the challenge of a Stromsgodset side who are unbeaten in 13 of their last 20 meetings, claiming eight wins and five draws since October 2012.
Team News
Stromsgodset will take to the pitch without 26-year-old forward Jostein Ekeland, who has missed the last eight matches after coming off injured in June's game against Haugesund.
Nigerian midfielder Jack Ipalibo recently completed a move to Greek outfit Kifisia FC and the 25-year-old is out of contention for Isnes's men.
As far as Valerenga are concerned, 22-year-old forward Daniel Hakans will play no part in this weekend's game after suffering a knee injury against Vikings on May 1.
He is joined on the club's injury table by teenage goalkeeper Storm Strand-Kolbjornsen, who is yet to feature this year as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
Vegar Eggen Hedenstad missed last weekend's clash with Sandefjord Fotball after picking up a red card against Odds on July 23 but the 32-year-old defender should return to the fold on Saturday.
Stromsgodset possible starting lineup:
Myhra; Leifsson, Valsvik, Dahl, Stenevik; Therkelsen, Danso, Grogaard; Mehnert, Farji, Stengel
Valerenga Fotball possible starting lineup:
Sjoeng; Riisnaes, Strandberg, Kjelsen, Juklerod; Strand, Bjordal, Jensen; Thorvaldsen, Jatta, Ofkir
We say: Stromsgodset 1-0 Valerenga Fotball
Saturday's game gives Stromsgodset and Valerenga an opportunity to snap their dire run of results and we anticipate a heated contest at the Marienlyst Stadion. While both sides are evenly matched on paper, we are backing Stromsgodset to grind out a narrow win in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
