Both FK Haugesund and Sandefjord will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in the Eliteserien when they lock horns at Haugesund Stadion on Sunday afternoon.
The home side have picked up nine points from their opening nine games of the season to sit 13th in the table, while Sandefjord are 12th, also boasting nine points ahead of the next matchday.
Match preview
Haugesund have spent each of the last seven seasons in the top flight of Norwegian football, with their best finish during that period proving to be fourth in 2018.
The Seagulls have been 11th and 10th in their last two campaigns, meanwhile, so it is not much of a surprise to see them down in 13th position in the table at this stage of the season.
Jostein Grindhaug's side boast a record of two wins, three draws and four defeats from their opening nine matches to collect nine points, and they will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Brattvag in the third round of the NM Cupen.
Haugesund were victorious in their last league game on June 4, though, running out 2-1 winners at Stromsgodset, so they will be eyeing a second straight Eliteserien success here.
FKH have not actually beaten Sandefjord in the league since November 2020, losing two of their last three matches with their opponents on Sunday afternoon.
Sandefjord were knocked out of the NM Cupen towards the end of May, so their last two matches have been in the league, losing 5-0 at Molde on May 29 before recording a 4-1 win over Odd last time out.
The Boys boast an identical record to Haugesund across their nine matches, recording two wins, three draws and four defeats to collect nine points.
Hans Erik Odegaard's side secured promotion back to the top flight of Norwegian football in 2019, and they have finished 11th, 10th and 14th in their last three campaigns.
Last season, Sandefjord competed in the relegation playoffs, overcoming Kongsvinger over two legs to retain their status in the top flight for at least another year.
Guttane are yet to win on their travels in the league this season, picking up just two points from their five matches, while Haugesund have collected five points from their four games in front of their own fans.
Team News
Alexander Soderlund will be missing for Haugesund on Sunday due to a thigh problem, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into the contest.
Sory Ibrahim Diarra has made a relatively strong start to the season, finding the back of the net on three occasions, and he will again feature in the final third of the field for the hosts.
Adrien Pajaziti has contributed two goals from an attacking midfield position, meanwhile, and the 20-year-old should also retain his starting role in Sunday's contest.
Sandefjord have no injury concerns heading into this match, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Odd last time out.
Danilo Al-Saed scored a brace in the team's last match to move onto three goals for the campaign, and the 24-year-old should again start on the left.
Gilbert Koomson is also expected to feature in an advanced area for the visitors, while Karl Filip Ottosson should continue in central midfield.
FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Therkildsen, Baertelsen, Reese, Krusnell; Christensen, Krygard; Sande, Pajaziti, Njie; Diarra
Sandefjord possible starting lineup:
Keto; Berglie, Taaje, Foss, Egeli; Ayer, Ottosson, Nilsson; Koomson, Tveter, Al-Saed
We say: FK Haugesund 1-1 Sandefjord
There is not an awful lot between these two teams in terms of quality, and we are expecting the points to be shared on Sunday. It was 2-2 when the pair last met in November 2022, but we are predicting a low-scoring draw in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
