Tromso IL will be aiming to leapfrog SK Brann in the Norwegian Eliteserien table by beating them on Sunday.
The two sides head into the encounter level on points in fourth and third place respectively.
Match preview
Having consolidated themselves in the Eliteserien since gaining promotion from the second tier in 2020, Tromso appear to be kicking on this season, with their tally of 27 points from 14 games already only eight points shy of their overall amount two campaigns ago.
However, their six-match unbeaten streak in the league came to an end at the hands of Rosenborg last time out, which allowed both Viking FK and their forthcoming opponents Brann to overtake them in the table.
Still, Tromso have not finished in the top four positions of Norway's top flight since 2012, while they have never tasted ultimate success as the champions of their domestic division. With runaway leaders Bodo/Glimt moving 11 points clear of them last weekend, securing the club's third runners-up medal may be a more realistic target.
As such, Sunday's match against Brann at Romssa Arena represents a huge fixture for both teams, as if there is a winner on the day, they will move above Viking into second spot ahead of their home match against Aalesund on Monday.
Brann, meanwhile, continue to go from strength to strength after remarkably combining their second tier title last season with the club's seventh Norwegian Cup triumph.
Given the momentum that Eirik Horneland has generated at the club, it should not come as a huge surprise to see them punching above their weight towards the top of the Eliteserien table in their first season back in the big time, but it is another fine achievement nonetheless.
After seeing their cup defence come to an end by throwing away a two-goal lead during their 3-2 defeat to Valerenga Fotball, Brann returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win against Stromsgodset last weekend, with Niklas Jensen Wassberg's 29th-minute strike ultimately enough to hand his side all three points.
Having only won two of their seven away trips in the league so far this season, Horneland will be hoping to achieve an impressive victory against their European qualification rivals on Sunday, although avoiding defeat may not be regarded as a bad result whatsoever.
Team News
Tromso will be without El Hadji Malick Diouf due to suspension after the 18-year-old was sent off for two bookable offences against Rosenborg. Diouf entered the field as a substitute, going on to score a vital equaliser, but his dismissal proved costly given that Rosenborg subsequently grabbed an injury-time winner.
Lasse Nilsen, Runar Norheim and Hilmir Mikaelsson are all expected to remain sidelined through injury.
Brann, meanwhile, will travel without Ruben Kristiansen due to a groin issue, but Ole Didrik Blomberg and Jonas Torsvik are fit and available after recovering from their own related injuries.
Horneland may see no reason to change a winning team after dispatching Stromsgodset last time out, with Brad Finne hoping to return to goalscoring ways.
Tromso IL possible starting lineup:
Haugaard; Oyvann, Psyche, A. Jenssen; Vesterlund, Opsahl, R. Jenssen, Painstil; Erlien, Traore, Antonsen
SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Dyngeland; Crone, Knudsen, Sery, Torsvik; Wassberg, Nilsen, Myhre; Castro, Finne, Borsting
We say: Tromso IL 1-1 SK Brann
Brann have not been as impressive on the road as they have been at home this season, but we believe they have enough quality to return to Bergen with at least a point from Sunday's trip to Tromso.
The hosts have hugely improved this season, but with the amount at stake in this match, we can envisage both managers being happy to share the spoils and remain level on points towards the top of the table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
