Two teams at opposite ends of the Norwegian Eliteserien table will come together on Sunday evening when FK Haugesund host SK Brann at the Haugesund Stadion.
The hosts are at the foot of the table with one point from eight games, while the visitors are third in the standings with 17 points from eight league fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
Haugesund narrowly avoided relegation from the Norwegian Eliteserien last season as they finished 14th in the table, securing their top-flight status by defeating Moss FK 2-0 on aggregate in the relegation-promotion playoff final.
Despite enjoying a positive pre-season in preparation for this campaign, with two wins and two draws, Sancheev Manoharan's men have suffered a dismal start to the campaign.
Haugesund have won two, drawn one and lost eight of their first 11 matches across all competitions, with both triumphs coming in the Norwegian Cup, leaving the Seagulls winless in the league after eight games.
Manoharan's men, as a result, sit at the foot of the table with just one point from eight league fixtures, remaining the only team in the league without a victory.
While they will be eager to snap that streak, including five consecutive defeats, with a vital victory on Sunday, their opponents, SK Brann, are major favourites for all three points.
Brann have enjoyed a sensational return since securing promotion from the second division in 2022, recording second-placed finishes in 2023 and 2024 and currently sitting third after eight matches this campaign.
The visitors have taken 17 points from a possible 24 after eight league outings, with five wins, two draws and only one defeat, meaning they trail first-placed Viking FK by just three points.
Freyr Alexandersson's men have failed to win any of their last three matches across all competitions, however, with Brann eliminated from the cup by Bryne FK, followed by back-to-back league draws.
Aiming to put that end to a run, Brann will aim to extend their dominance over Haugesund with a third consecutive victory, having also won six and drawn one of their last seven meetings.
Team News
The hosts will be unable to call upon the services of Ilir Kukleci (groin), Jasper Silva Torkildsen (thigh) and Troy Nyhammer (knee) due to ongoing injury issues.
Despite losing their last match 1-0 to Rosenborg, an impressive defensive display could mean Manoharan opts to name a similar lineup against third-placed Brann on Sunday.
As for the visitors, Niklas Jensen Wassberg (knee) and Sakarias Opsahl (foot) are both unable to feature on Sunday due to ongoing injury problems.
Aune Selland Heggebo has netted four goals in eight league appearances this season, and the striker is anticipated to feature alongside Mads Berg Sande and Bard Finne in attack.
FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:
Wichne; Solheim, Dia, Fischer, Bizoza, Krusnell; Innvaer, Eskesen, Konradsen, Rohd; Diarra
SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Dyngeland; Helland, Knudsen, Larsen, Pedersen; Gudmundsson, Kornvig, Myhre; Sande, Heggebo, Finne
We say: FK Haugesund 0-3 SK Brann
Haugesund have suffered a miserable start to the campaign, and given Brann's promising opening to the season combined with their recent dominance in this fixture, we expect a resounding away victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
