The league leaders Bodo/Glimt welcome the defending Norwegian Eliteserien champions Molde to the Aspmyra Stadion on Sunday evening.
Despite being the dominant force in the league last season, Molde have faced difficulties in defending their title this year and will face another tough challenge this time around against Bodo/Glimt, the team that are currently in pole position to claim their crown.
Match preview
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Following an impressive unbeaten start to the league season, during which they embarked on a remarkable nine-game winning run, Bodo/Glimt faced their first setback of the campaign with a surprising 2-0 loss to Stromsgodset last weekend.
Kjetil Knutsen's men still hold a comfortable lead over the chasing pack in the league, but they will now be cautious about dropping more points, especially with second-placed side Tromso having a game in hand that could potentially see their lead at the top reduced to just five points.
The top two teams in the top flight were involved in a thrilling NM Cupen game on Wednesday, as Bodo/Glimt staged a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory, courtesy of two injury-time efforts.
The result and the manner of the win over a strong rival will have provided a significant boost to the league leaders as they aim to return to winning ways in the Eliteserien.
Indeed, for Bodo/Glimt, playing at their home ground in their upcoming fixture will undoubtedly bring a sense of relief and confidence, given the crucial role their impressive home form has played in their overall success this season.
Boasting the best home record in the league, remaining unbeaten and currently on a four-game winning run at the Aspmyra Stadion, this side have also been prolific in front of goal, having scored the joint-most goals (19) at their home ground this term.
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Standing in their way of extending that unbeaten record at home this weekend is Molde, the very team they are aiming to dethrone as Norwegian champions.
Following a 1-0 defeat at Odd just before the international break, Molde managed to bounce back and regain their winning form with a 1-0 victory over FK Haugesund in the league.
Building on their previous triumph, the Norwegian title holders showcased even greater improvement in the NM Cupen as they secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Stromsgodset, the team responsible for ending Bodo/Glimt's unbeaten run in the league prior to this weekend's contest.
The cup performance will provide a much-needed boost for this side, as they have persistently faced criticism throughout the season for their perceived lack of fight in the defence of their Eliteserien crown.
Much of this criticism stems from their disastrous start to the campaign, as Erling Moe's men managed to secure only a single point from their first four league games, resulting in the 2022 champions finding themselves in the relegation zone early on.
Since then, Molde have embarked on an impressive run of form in the Norwegian top flight that has seen them secure six wins from their last eight games, a streak that has undoubtedly elevated their aspirations towards continental qualification for next season.
And yet, their chances of achieving their target this term will heavily depend on improving their away form, given their current record of four losses in six games on the road this season.
Team News
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Bodo/Glimt will have to navigate this crucial fixture without the services of Runar Espejord, who remains sidelined with a groin injury, with no definite timeline yet for his return to the squad.
Urik Saltnes made his long-awaited return for the league leaders, having not featured since November, and made an immediate impact by scoring a crucial injury-time winner off the bench in the midweek cup match.
Saltnes will likely be rewarded with a starting position in the upcoming league game, where he will be joined by influential midfielders Hugo Vetlesen and Albert Gronbaek, who together have 12 goal involvements for Bodo/Glimt this season.
Eirik Ulland-Andersen continues to be sidelined for Molde due to a serious knee injury, but his return to the squad is anticipated by July, indicating that he will soon be in contention for a starting role.
Martin Ellingsen, a long-term absentee for the champions, is also making progress in his recovery from a knee injury and is expected to make a comeback by mid-July, marking his return to action after a two-year layoff.
Having been drafted into the starting lineup for the last couple of games, Eric Kitolano will once again be expected to lead the line for his side, after making a notable impact on the team's attack in recent games with a goal and an assist.
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Khaikin; Wembangomo, Bjortuft, Lode, Bjorkan; Vetlesen, Saltnes, Gronbaek; Mvuka, Moumbagna, Pellegrino
Molde possible starting lineup:
Karlstrom; Sinyan, Bjornbak, Risa; Linnes, Grodem, Mannsverk, Breivik, Haugen; Kitolano, Brynhildsen
We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-0 Molde
While Molde aim to build on their recent league and cup victories, they face a formidable challenge on Sunday against Bodo/Glimt, who remain the in-form team in the league despite suffering their first loss of the campaign last weekend. The league leaders will likely widen the gap between them and the defending champions.
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