Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg 08, both aiming to rebound from recent defeats, will clash at the Fredrikstad Stadion on Sunday in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
The hosts are fourth in the table with 16 points from nine league fixtures, while the visitors are ninth in the standings with 12 points from eight outings.
Match preview
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Fredrikstad, after an 11-year absence from the Norwegian top-flight, secured their promotion to the Eliteserien as Norwegian 1st Division champions in 2023.
The Aristocrats enjoyed a strong first year back in the Eliteserien last season, finishing sixth in the table with 51 points from 30 games, comfortably 18 points above the drop zone and just two points outside the European places.
Andreas Hagen, who took charge following Mikkjal Thomassen's departure in the summer of 2024, would have been aiming to build on that result this term, and Fredrikstad have made a promising start to the campaign as they pursue that objective.
Fredrikstad have amassed 16 points from their nine league fixtures, after five wins, one draw and three defeats, leaving them fourth in the table and with at least one game in hand on those above them.
However, their form has taken a worrying turn for the worse in recent matches, as the Aristocrats have now lost all of their last three games, including being eliminated from the NM Cup in the fourth round by Lillestrom.
Hopeful of ending that losing streak on Sunday, Fredrikstad host a Sarpsborg side that are similarly aiming to rebound from a defeat to Tromso IL last weekend.
That defeat was Sarpsborg's third in the league this season, with Christian Michelsen's also managing three wins and three draws, leaving them ninth in the table with 12 points, albeit with at least one game in hand on the teams around them.
Sarpsborg have established themselves as a mid-table side in the Eliteserien in recent years, with three consecutive eighth-placed finishes in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and a ninth-placed finish last term.
Michelsen's men will have ambitions of pushing higher up the table this term, but given they have failed to defeat Fredrikstad in any of their last four competitive meetings, any potential climb up the standings is unlikely to start on Sunday.
Team News
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Fredrikstad are without any injury issues heading into Sunday's outing, meaning Hagen has a fully-fit squad available to choose from.
As Fredrikstad have lost all of their last three games across all competitions, Hagen could make multiple changes to the starting team, though Emil Holten is likely to lead the line with three goals in nine league matches.
As for Sarpsborg, Anders Him (cruciate ligament) and Sondre Orjasaeter (thigh) are both ruled out of Sunday's encounter due to ongoing injury problems.
Aimar Sher is also a doubt for the visitors after coming off in their last outing due to an injury, meaning Harald Tangen could partner Mike Vestergard in midfield.
Daniel Karlsbakk has enjoyed a superb start to the Eliteserien campaign, scoring five goals in seven league matches, and the forward is expected to start in attack for the visitors.
Fredrikstad possible starting lineup:
Fischer; Woledzi, Fredriksen, Skaret; Eid, Owusu, Metcalfe, Molde; Sorlokk, Holten, Ohlenschlaeger
Sarpsborg 08 possible starting lineup:
Ndiaye; Wichne, Koch, Tebo, Jeahze; Tangen, Vestergard; Sanyang, Halvorsen, Haheim-Elveseter; Karlsbakk
We say: Fredrikstad 2-1 Sarpsborg 08
Sarpsborg have lost all of their last three games heading into this clash and have failed to defeat Fredrikstad in their last four competitive meetings, leading us to expect a home victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
