SK Brann and Kristiansund, both reeling from defeat in their latest matches, will clash at the Brann Stadion on Sunday afternoon in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
The hosts are third in the table with 20 points from 10 league games, while the visitors are eighth in the standings with 13 points from their 10 fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
After suffering a shock relegation from the Norwegian Eliteserien in 2021, SK Brann are having an incredible comeback to the top flight, with back-to-back second-placed finishes in 2023 and 2024.
Eirik Horneland departed following that second runners-up finish last term, leaving Freyr Alexandersson with the task of dethroning Bodo/Glimt's dominance over the Eliteserien title.
Alexandersson lead Brann to an undefeated pre-season in preparation for this campaign, followed by winning eight and losing only one of their opening nine matches across all competitions.
However, their form has taken a downturn in recent weeks, with Brann winning only one of their last five games, alongside two defeats and two draws.
Those results have not only confirmed Brann's elimination from the NM Cup - losing in the third round - but also means Brann have dropped from first to third in the league table, now trailing the top spot by six points, though they do have a game in hand on leaders Viking FK.
Looking to get back on track with a confidence boosting victory, Brann will host a Kristiansund side that have lost five, drawn one and won four of their opening 10 league games.
Kristiansund, after winning the playoffs to secure promotion to the Eliteserien in 2023, finished 11th with 34 points in their first year back in the top flight, narrowly one point above the drop zone.
Amund Skiri will be looking to maintain their Eliteserien status once again this season, and 13 points from their opening 10 matches leaves them seven points above the drop zone, though Kristiansund have played at least once more than the teams below them.
Their positive start is largely due to their promising record on the road, with Kristiansund winning three, drawing one and losing two of their six league fixtures away from home, and they will be hoping to maintain that streak on Sunday.
However, Kristiansund have struggled in their recent visits to the Brann Stadion, suffering four defeats, drawing one and winning only one of their last six away clashes with Brann.
Team News
![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
SK Brann will be without Niklas Jensen Wassberg (knee) and Sakarias Opsahl (foot) due to ongoing injury issues, while the rest of the squad should for available for selection.
Aune Selland Heggebo has netted five goals in 10 league appearances at the start of this season, and the striker is likely to partner Bard Finne and Mads Berg Sande in attack.
Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Molde last time out, SK Brann produced a dominant performance with 72% possession and 19 shots to Molde's four, meaning Alexandersson could name an unchanged team.
As for Kristiansund, Max Normann Williamsen (cruciate ligament) is ruled out due to injury, while Alioune Ndour is a doubt after coming off in their last match with an injury issue.
Mustapha Isah could start in attack in Ndour's absence, while Sander Kilen and David Tufekcic are likely to retain their starting positions in wider areas.
SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Dyngeland; Roeve, Helland, Larsen, Soltvedt; Gudmundsson, Kornvig, Myhre; Sande, Heggebo, Finne
Kristiansund possible starting lineup:
Saether; Hoffmann, Olsen, Ulvestad, Rakneberg; Tufekcic, Corlu, Igor, Alte, Kilen; Isah
We say: SK Brann 3-1 Kristiansund
SK Brann have enjoyed a stronger start to the campaign and have dominated Kristiansund in recent meetings at their home ground, leading us to expect a comfortable victory for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
