HamKam will hope to continue their surge into the European qualification places when they play host to Fredrikstad at the Briskeby Stadion in round 15 of the Eliteserien on Sunday.
A drop-off in form has seen the Aristokratene fail to win any of their last seven matches across all competitions and they will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting result.
Match preview
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A rejuvenated HamKam maintained their new-found form last Saturday as they picked up a 2-1 victory over Odds BK when the sides squared off at the Skagerak Arena
After falling behind to John Olav Norheim's 24th-minute opener, Odd found their way back into the game courtesy of a close-range strike from Mikael Ingebrigtsen, but Tore Andre Soras netted three minute after the hour mark to hand the visitors all three points.
Since losing back-to-back league games against Viking and Brann, HamKam have gone four consecutive matches without defeat across all competitions, claiming one draw and three wins, including a 3-2 friendly victory over KFUM Oslo on June 21.
With 17 points from 15 matches, Jakob Michelsen's men are currently ninth in the Eliteserien standings, level on points with Kristiansund and Rosenborg, but could move into sixth place with a win this weekend.
However, HamKam will need to show their mettle at the Briskeby Stadion this weekend as they have failed to win five of their last six home games this season — losing three and claiming two draws — and currently hold the division's second-fewest point tally at home (5).
Fredrikstad, on the other hand, continue to struggle for results in the top half of the table as they played out a goalless draw with Molde at the Nye Fredrikstad Stadion last weekend.
A total of 23 shots were fired between the two teams but neither Jonathan Fischer nor Albert Posiadala in goal for both sides would end up picking the ball out of the back of the net, with a draw being a fair result upon reflection.
Mikkjal Kjartansson Thomassen's men have failed now to taste victory in seven consecutive games across all competitions — losing three and claiming four draws — having picked up eight straight wins preceding this run.
Despite their recent struggles, Fredrikstad remain in the hunt for European football as sit fifth in the league table with 23 points from 14 games, six points adrift of second-placed Brann, who have played two more matches.
Team News
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HamKam will take to the pitch without 21-year-old defender Halvor Opsahl, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after coming off injured in March.
Other than that, the hosts boast a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns and we expect Michelsen to name a similar starting XI from last Saturday's victory at Odd.
Soras, who opened his account for the season last weekend, should retain his role at the centre of the park, alongside Gard Simenstad and skipper Kristian Onsrud.
As for Fredrikstad, Thomassen will be unable to name 20-year-old forward Jeppe Kjaer, who has missed each of the last six games since picking up an injured against Tromso on May 25.
He is joined on the club's injury table by 28-year-old midfielder Joannes Bjartalid, who has also been out of action since sustaining an injury in May, while Oscar Jansson is set to sit out his fourth straight game through an injury.
HamKam possible starting lineup:
Sandberg; Mares, Bjarnason, Norheim; Jonsson, Simenstad, Onsrud, Soeraas, Kongsro; Udahl, Odegaard
Fredrikstad possible starting lineup:
Fischer; Woledzi, Kvile, Skaret; Rafn, Metcalfe, Magnusson, Molde; Soerloekk, Aga, Traore
We say: HamKam 2-1 Fredrikstad
HamKam have put together a fine run of results in recent weeks and will be backing themselves against a floundering Fredrikstad side who are without a win since May. While both sides are evenly matched on paper, we are backing Michelsen's men to secure all three points in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
