HamKam and Fredrikstad go head-to-head at Briskeby Arena on Sunday evening in a crucial Eliteserien showdown for both sides.

The hosts are in desperate need of points to climb out of the bottom three, while the visitors seek consistency in their push for a top-half finish.

Match preview

For HamKam, a campaign defined by defensive lapses and inconsistency has left them precariously perched just outside the automatic relegation zone. With only three wins from their opening 13 matches, they find themselves 14th in the standings, having conceded 24 goals - the third-most in the league.

The hosts have taken just two points from their last three league outings, failing to score in an away defeat to Rosenborg and 1-1 draws with Bryne FK and Brann. It is a pattern that reflects their broader struggles: HamKam have now won only two of their last 12 league games and are winless in their last three.

While Briskeby Arena has offered occasional respite, the Thomas Myhre-led side’s home form remains underwhelming. They have managed just two wins from six home matches this season, including a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Molde in late May. However, the subsequent defeat to Tromso and draw against Brann suggest that any momentum gained was fleeting.

What is perhaps more concerning is HamKam's tendency to concede heavily in front of their own fans. They have shipped 11 goals in their last six home matches, with a bruising 5-2 defeat to Viking and a 3-1 reverse against Tromso exposing vulnerabilities at the back. The lack of midfield protection has left their defence exposed, and with goals hard to come by, every mistake has been punished.

A look at the historical head-to-head does little to inspire confidence. HamKam have lost nine of their last 16 encounters (across all competitions) with Fredrikstad and have failed to beat them in their last three league meetings, including back-to-back defeats in 2024. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last eight league matches against the visitors.

Andrea Hagen’s men arrive in Hamar sitting eighth in the standings, eight points above their hosts, though recent form paints a less flattering picture. The visitors have won just one of their last eight Eliteserien fixtures, a thrilling 4-2 home victory over Molde earlier this month.

They followed that result with a 1-0 home loss to Bodo/Glimt, reinforcing the stop-start nature of their season. Defensively, they remain vulnerable, having conceded at least once in each of their last eight league outings, with three goals shipped against both Viking and Bryne FK in heavy away defeats.

Fredrikstad have picked up just one win from their last six league matches away from home, losing three in that span. The 3-0 defeat at Viking and a 4-3 thriller at Bryne underline their defensive frailty on the road, although they did take three points from Kristiansund.

In attack, however, the visitors have consistently found ways to hurt teams. They have scored at least once in all of their last eight league meetings with HamKam and will expect to capitalise on the hosts' defensive shortcomings once again. The forward pairing of Henrik Skogvold and Oskar Ohlenschlaeger offers mobility and flair, while Rocco Shein provides creative impetus in the final third.

Fredrikstad also hold a psychological edge, having completed a league double over HamKam last season without conceding a goal. A repeat of that disciplined display would significantly strengthen their push to remain within touching distance of the European places.

HamKam Norwegian Eliteserien form:

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Fredrikstad Norwegian Eliteserien form:

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Team News

HamKam remain without Halvor Rodolen Opsahl, whose return date from injury is still unknown. Markus Johnsgard is also ruled out with an ankle issue, expected back in late August. 

Aside from those absentees, Myhre has no suspensions or additional fitness worries heading into the weekend.

Fredrikstad's only confirmed absentee is Sigurd Kvile, who continues to nurse a back injury.

Head coach Hagen otherwise has a clean bill of health, with no suspensions to navigate.

HamKam possible starting lineup:

Sandberg; Nilsen, Mares, Sjolstad, Bjarnason, Ekeroth; Simenstad, Soras, Roaldsoy, Mawa; Lien

Fredrikstad possible starting lineup:

Fischer; Eid, Skaret, Fredriksen, Woledzi, Molde; Sorlokk, Metcalfe; Shein; Skogvold, Ohlenschlaeger

We say: HamKam 1-2 Fredrikstad

HamKam have struggled for rhythm at both ends of the pitch and have a poor record in this fixture. Fredrikstad may be inconsistent, but their attacking edge and superior head-to-head form could be enough to edge them over the line.

Given both sides’ defensive frailties, chances should come at either end, but the visitors have more firepower to make theirs count.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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