Just one position separates Fredrikstad and Rosenborg ahead of Wednesday's meeting at the Nye Fredrikstad Stadion.
The hosts are sitting in fourth place in the Eliteserien table, while the visitors are two points better off in third position, although they have played one more game than their opponents.
Match preview
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Fredrikstad face the difficult challenge of matching the success of last season after they lifted the Norwegian Cup and achieved a sixth-placed finish in their first top-flight campaign since 2012.
They will be satisfied and encouraged with the start that they have made to the 2025 campaign, having won five, drawn one and lost two of their eight league games this season.
With that said, Fredrikstad will likely be in a downbeat mood after experiencing a couple of disappointing results, including the end of their Norwegian Cup defence following a penalty-shootout defeat to Lillestrom in the fourth round.
They followed their cup exit with a narrow 4-3 defeat in Saturday's entertaining away clash with Bryne, bringing a halt to their five-game unbeaten run in the Eliteserien.
Andreas Hagen's side will still fancy their chances of taking maximum points from Wednesday's fixture, given the fact that they have won all four of their home league games this season, keeping clean sheets in three of those victories.
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After winning five, drawing three and losing one of their nine matches, Rosenborg are sitting two points adrift of second-placed Brann and five points away from leaders Viking, who have played one game more.
In contrast to Wednesday's hosts, Rosenborg recently negotiated their way through the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup, although they had to work hard to claim an extra-time victory over second-tier Kongsvinger.
Unfortunately for Rosenborg, they returned to league action with a heavy 4-0 defeat in Saturday's away meeting with Bodo/Glimt, bringing a disappointing end to their unbeaten start to the Eliteserien season.
Incidentally, that result also represented the first time that they have conceded two goals or more in a league match since they beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in October.
They will have to pick themselves for their second meeting with Fredrikstad this season, after recording a 1-0 victory in April's home fixture following a first-half effort from Sverre Nypan.
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Team News
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Fredrikstad remain without the services of Sigurd Kvile, who is yet to make an appearance this season due to injury.
Defender Fallou Fall is set to return to the starting lineup after being suspended for the defeat to Bryne due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Emil Holten should lead the line for the hosts, with the striker looking to add to the three league goals that he has scored this season.
Meanwhile, Rosenborg manager Alfred Johansson is still unable to call upon winger Noah Sahsah due to a knee injury.
Forward Dino Islamovic remains a doubt for Wednesday's fixture, having been absent from the last five matchday squads.
Marius Broholm will offer one of the visitors' main attacking threats, having scored three goals and provided one assist
Midfielder Moustafa Zeidan is pushing for a recall after dropping out of the starting lineup for the heavy defeat to Bodo/Glimt.
Fredrikstad possible starting lineup:
Fischer; Woledzi, Fredriksen, Fall; Eid, Metcalfe, Owusu, Molde; Ohlenschlaeger, Sorlokk, Holten
Rosenborg possible starting lineup:
Tangvik; Reitan, M. Ceide, Nemcik, Pereira; Zeidan, Selnaes, Nypan; Broholm, E. Ceide, Holm
We say: Fredrikstad 2-1 Rosenborg
Rosenborg may have already beaten Fredrikstad this season, but they will not have home advantage on this occasion, and we think that the visitors will fall to a narrow defeat to a team that have won all four of their home league games this season.
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