Bodo/Glimt seek to continue their undefeated run at Aspmyra Stadion this term when they welcome relegation-threatened FK Haugesund in round 17's Eliteserien action on Saturday.
The defending champions were held last time out by in-form KFUM Oslo, but they are favourites to get the better of a side that have lost three of their past five league matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
While second-placed Viking have played a fewer game than Bodo/Glimt, the table-topping side retain their buffer atop the Norwegian top-flight standings despite the former recently closing the gap to six points.
Glimt's superior goal difference means Kjetil Knutsen's team can afford a loss even if the second-placed side win their outstanding game, lessening the pressure on the side keen to defend the championship claimed last term.
The Yellow Horde head into gameweek 17 keen to at least keep the gap at six points by notching maximum points irrespective of their closest challenger's result this weekend.
Only Viking (20) have accrued more points in home games than Bodo/Glimt (18), although the former have played nine matches on their turf to Glimt's eight.
Having gone undefeated in eight league matches in front of their supporters — notching five wins and playing out three draws — Knutsen hopes his side make that six victories this weekend.
© Imago
The hosts are resounding favourites against a side battling for their top-flight lives after an underwhelming start to the campaign.
Despite having two games in hand, Maakene will know that outstanding matches are not points on board heading into a daunting fixture against the league favourites.
Statistics show that the away team have lost more games (eight) than every side except Tromso (nine), while their 16 goals scored is a joint-low in the competition.
Sancheev Manoharan's appointment at the start of May have done little for FKH, whose results have been mixed after the Dane's arrival.
The away side have lost three of their last five on the road (two points) and are only outside the bottom two spots on goal difference, with Odd level on 17 points and bottom Sandefjord one point adrift, further highlighting the importance of this weekend.
Team News
© Reuters
Omar Elabdellaoui and Gaute Vetti are not expected back for the hosts until August, as is Syver Skeide, who continues his recovery from a severe knee injury.
Runar Espejord reportedly is touch-and-go for Saturday due to a thigh issue.
With Bodo/Glimt still acclimating to Albert Gronbaek's move to Rennes, the hosts will look to Patrick Berg and Ulrik Saltnes to carry much-needed responsibility for the title challengers.
Haugesund's Claus Niyukuri and Martin Samuelsen are not expected to feature on Saturday as they battle injury issues.
Bruno Leite could return to the team's XI after coming off the bench in last weekend's 4-3 loss at Sandefjord to take his league tally to three this term.
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Khaikin; Wembangomo, Moe, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Saltnes, Berg, Evjen; Mikkelsen, Kapskarmo, Sjovold
FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Hope, Baertelsen, Fredriksen, Krusnell; Eskesen, Leite; Sauer, Konradsen, Tounekti; Liseth
We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-0 FK Haugesund
Having suffered a shock loss the last time they played a side in the bottom three — a 2-1 defeat by Sandefjord on July 13 — Glimt will aim to avoid the same mistakes in that unexpected reverse to improve on a recent league form that has seen them secure one win in their last three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
