Viking will be out to maintain their position atop the standings when they visit Kristiansund in their gameweek eight Eliteserien clash.
The hosts, who are currently fifth in the standings, will aim to break into the top four this weekend, while the visiting side, who are fresh from a 7-0 demolition of Asane, will be eager to extend their winning run to 13 matches in all competitions.
Match preview
![Kristiansund head coach Amund Skiri during the Eliteserien match against Brann on May 20, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/amund-skiri.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Kristiansund head coach Amund Skiri during the Eliteserien match against Brann on May 20, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Kristiansund finished 11th last season, but their start to the current campaign has left their fans hopeful for a better outing this term.
The hosts are currently fifth in the table, having amassed 13 points from nine matches so far, a place and three points shy of the top four.
The Owls enter this contest off the back of a morale-boosting 4-3 extra time win over giants Molde to advance to the last eight of the Norwegian Cup.
With attention now turning to the Norwegian top division, Amund Skiri's men will go out in search of their third victory in four league matches.
A win for KBK will represent their first against this weekend's opponents since March 2023, a feat which could see them crack the top four for the first time in the current campaign.
© Imago
Indeed, Viking have dominated recent meetings between both sides, winning in four of their last five head-to-head league clashes.
Even better for the Dark Blues, they are currently dictating the pace of the Norwegian elite division with 20 points after nine matches, two ahead of their nearest challengers Rosenborg.
The leaders are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions, while they have not tasted defeat in eight league contests.
The visiting side will be confident ahead of this contest, as they have won two of their three fixtures on the road this term, with nine goals scored in the process.
More so, the former champions have scored 28 goals in nine matches, and up against a side that has conceded 13 times already in this campaign, they will be buzzing.
A victory on Sunday will solidify their position at the apex of the standings, and it will earn them a third straight league win for the second time in 2025.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts will be without Michael Lansing, who is currently recuperating from a knee injury that has limited his chances in recent times.
Norwegian Adrian Ronning is also expected to miss out on Sunday, as he is nursing an unspecified injury.
The situation is even more dire for the visiting side, with several players on the sidelines for this encounter.
Nicholas D'Agostino (ankle), Moi Tobias (foot), Martin Roseth (undisclosed) and Gianni Stensness (knee) are unavailable for the Stavanger-based side.
Nevertheless, Zlatko Tripic, who has bagged seven goals already this term, will lead the line for the visitors.
Kristiansund possible starting lineup:
Saether; Hoffmann, Olsen, Ulvestad, Rakneberg; Tufekcic, Korlu, Igor, Odegard, Alte; Ndour
Viking FK possible starting lineup:
Klaesson; Flachener, Baertelsen, Urbancic, Hegheim; Bell, Capiss, Austbo, Svendsen; Christiansen, Hansen
We say: Kristiansund 1-3 Viking FK
Viking have been very impressive since the start of the season, and it does not look like Sunday's opponents will offer stiff resistance, meaning it will be a routine win for the visitors, and we predict a 3-1 win for Viking.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
