FK Haugesund are set to host league leaders Bodo/Glimt at the Haugesund Stadion on Sunday in Norway's Eliteserien.
The home side are ninth in the table with 13 points and are just three clear of the relegation zone, while the visitors are top thanks to goal difference and are aiming for a fourth title in five years.
Match preview
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The hosts have won twice, drawn once and lost on one occasion in their last four games, an improvement over their early season form.
Prior to this four-game run Haugesund had lost three consecutive league games, although it should be noted that these losses were closely fought contests with low scorelines.
In their last game on May 26 they managed to defeat fellow strugglers Sandefjord, who are last in 16th place with eight points.
Manager Sancheev Manoharan was appointed on May 24 after Oskar Hrafn Porvaldsson unexpectedly resigned.
Manoharan is embarking on his second spell at the club after initially coaching the side on an interim basis between September and December 2023, but this time he has signed a contract until 2026.
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Haugesund's home record has been mixed as, while they have won their last two fixtures at the Haugesund Stadion, they have won eight and lost eight times in their last 16 home league matches.
Meanwhile, opponents Bodo/Glimt have won 21 of their previous 29 league games on the road.
The visitors have also won four of their five away games this Eliteserien season, although they did lose their last away game against 11th-placed Hamarkameratene.
In fact, Bodo/Glimt have failed to win any of their last three games including last time out against 16th-placed Sandefjord, when they relied on a penalty to level the scoreline and come away with a draw.
However, this relatively disappointing run should not detract from the excellent job that manager Kjetil Knutsen has done.
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Knutsen has been in charge since 2018 and has already led his side to three title wins, including their first ever in 2020, a campaign in which they only lost one game.
To add to this, his team are currently first in the Eliteserien with 24 points, and while they are level with second-placed Brann they have played a game less.
The visitors have also scored 28 goals and only conceded eight this season, making them the league's best offensive and defensive team.
If Bodo/Glimt are to retain their title then defeating Haugesund and ending their winless streak is paramount, especially considering that Brann play league strugglers Hamarkameratene on Saturday.
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The hosts come into the game without forward Troy Nyhammer as a result of his stoppage-time sending off against Sandefjord last time out.
Haugesund will also have to contend with the absence of Amund Wichne for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury, while defender Martin Samuelsen is expected to be out until the middle of June.
As for the away side, they will be without forwards Runar Espejord and Sondre Sorli until early June and July respectively.
Bodo/Glimt will also be without defenders Fredrik Bjorkan and Daniel Bassi as well as midfielders Sondre Fet and Syver Skundberg Skeide.
FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Niyukuri, Baertelsen, Fredriksen, Krusnell; Luoviksson, Eskesen; Sauer, Konradsen, Tounekti; Diarra
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sjovold, Moe, Gundersen; Sorensen; Saltnes, Berg, Gronbaek; Zugelj, Hogh, Mikklesen
We say: FK Haugesund 1-3 Bodo/Glimt
Although Bodo/Glimt are winless in their last three league games they should still come into Sunday's clash as favourites considering their leading offensive and defensive records.
Additionally, Haugesund have not defeated the visitors in the Eliteserien since September 2018, and this weekend's match could prove challenging for the home side once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
