Second-placed SK Brann host Stromsgodset at Brann Stadion on Friday, keen to move to the top of the Norwegian Eliteserien table.
Brann have not won the top-flight title since 2007, and they aim to stay in contention as the campaign nears its halfway point against an opponent seeking a continental place.
Match preview
![Joachim Soltvedt celebrates scoring for SK Brann against Valerenga on October 8, 2023 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/joachim-soltvedt.jpeg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Joachim Soltvedt celebrates scoring for SK Brann against Valerenga on October 8, 2023 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
The Norwegian league is not at its halfway point, but Brann and Bodo/Glimt appear to be in a two-horse title race, underlined by the pair's seeming break away from the rest of the pack.
Both are level on points, even if Brann have played a game more than the table-topping side, who are ahead due to a superior goal difference.
Eirik Horneland's men have recovered from a two-game wobble that saw them claim one point from an available six against Kristiansund (2-2) and Molde (3-1 loss) to notch consecutive triumphs heading into this gameweek 12 encounter.
The Bergen-based outfit seek their third consecutive league victory on Friday, aiming to at the very least keep pace with Bodo/Glimt, who travel to relegation-threatened Sarpsborg on the same day.
With both fixtures being played simultaneously, it adds to the drama at the grounds as players will have a sense of what is playing out at both venues based on supporters' reactions.
Stromsgodset seek to rain on Brann's parade on Friday, as the away side travel to Bergen with their ambitions of ending in the continental qualification slots.
Undefeated in three straight league matches, the sixth-placed visitors sit four points adrift of Molde in fourth, having played one game fewer than the club they aim to catch.
Jorgen Isnes's players have done commendably in responding to the four-match losing run in all competitions, including three league defeats, to secure seven points from nine against Haugesund (2-0), Sarpsborg (3-1) and Odd (1-1).
However, the position of those three sides — Haugesund (10th), Sarpsborg (second-bottom) and Odd (fifth-bottom) — adds much-needed context to the away side's run coming against seemingly weak opposition.
Having failed to play European football of any kind since 2017, Godset's start this term is giving them a shot at continental qualification, and they hope to avoid falling further behind Molde after Friday's outcome.
Team News
Mads Sande is not expected to play as he continues his recovery from a severe knee injury that has sidelined him since 2023. Jonas Torsvik (groin), Niklas Jensen Wassberg (knee) and Moonga Simba are also sidelined due to injuries.
The hosts will look to Joachim Soltvedt (five goals), Ole Didrik Blomberg (three goals) and Emil Kornvig (two goals) to deliver the goods, having already notched two game-clinching goals apiece heading into Friday's match.
Eirik Ulland Andersen (thigh) and Sondre Fosnaess Hanssen (back) are not anticipated to play any part against Brann, while Ernest Boahene and Ole Kristian Enersen are nursing knocks.
Elias Hoff Melkersen has netted two in Stromsgodset's last three league matches, and the forward aims to add to his league tally against the second-placed side.
SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Dyngeland; Crone, Knudsen, Larsen, Soltvedt; Kornvig, Nilsen, Myhre; Blomberg, Finne, Kartum
Stromsgodset possible starting lineup:
Bratveit; Taaje, Valsvik, Dahl; Vilsvik, Stengel, Krasniqi, Tomasson; Therkelsen, Milkersen, Farji
We say: SK Brann 2-1 Stromsgodset
Brann have won 13 of their 16 matches at Brann Stadion in the past 12 months, and Stromsgodset have lost eight of 15 road fixtures in the same period. The last four encounters between these clubs have been won by the side playing at home — two wins each for Brann and Godset — and Friday's encounter should follow the same pattern.
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