Aiming to continue their upwards trajectory following a woeful opening to the campaign, Tromso IL will welcome Fredrikstad to Romssa Arena on Wednesday night in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
Gutan are struggling at the foot of the division after earning a spot in Europe last year, whilst Aristokratene are enjoying a stellar start to life back in the first tier.
Match preview
Having finished third in the Eliteserien by the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, Tromso booked their spot into the revamped edition of the Conference League in the Autumn of 2024, but Wednesday's hosts are not currently performing like a side who are deserving of the continental spotlight.
During a disastrous beginning to the term, Gutan lost six straight league matches as they sunk to the very bottom of the standings, but a recent run of just the single defeat in their last four Eliteserien contests has allowed Tromso to heal their bruised ego slightly.
Despite a faltering opening to the term, Gard Holme's troops have been relatively impressive at their Romssa Arena base in recent weeks, winning back-to-back matches at the venue versus Bodo/Glimt and Rosenborg by an aggregate scoreline of 7-2, meaning that the home supporters have been treated to plenty of goalmouth action.
Already matching his best campaign in terms of goalscoring, Lasse Nordas is the youngster leading the Tromso line this season, with the 22-year-old netting on two occasions in the opening nine Eliteserien fixtures - the same number of strikes as midfielder Ruben Yttergard Jenssen.
Gutan played out their first share of the spoils this season during the reverse fixture on the weekend, when both Jonathan Fischer and Jakob Haugaard managed to keep clean sheets, forcing the 8,000-strong crowd at Nye Fredrikstad Stadion to witness a goalless draw.
Having earned promotion to the Eliteserien after winning the Norwegian second division in 2023, Fredrikstad are not just making up the numbers in the top tier, with Wednesday's hosts now nine games unbeaten in the league following the aforementioned draw with Tromso on Saturday.
Including cup competitions, Aristokratene are cherishing a 13-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, with Fredrikstad last tasting defeat on the opening day of the Eliteserien campaign on April 1, when goals from Fredrik Andre Bjorkan and August Mikkelsen sealed a 2-0 win for Bodo/Glimt.
Key to Fredrikstad's blistering start to the 2024 schedule has been the goalscoring antics of 28-year-old Morten Bjorlo, who has made the net ripple on six occasions in 10 league fixtures so far, meaning that the former Rosenborg marksman trails only Albert Gronbaek and Magnus Wolff Eikrem in the early race for the Golden Boot.
Unlike a typical newly-promoted outfit who are still finding their feet at a higher level, Aristokratene have been exceptional on their Eliteserien travels so far in 2024, winning four and collecting 13 points from five league outings - a tally greater than any other side in the division.
Much of Fredrikstad's success during the beginning of this season can be traced back to the excellent work of head coach Mikkjal Thomassen, who - since taking charge of the club in January 2023 - has been victorious in 32 of his 50 competitive matches at the helm, losing just five times.
Team News
Tromso will be without the services of centre-back Miika Koskela on Wednesday night, with the 20-year-old expected to be out until early July due to a back injury.
Absences at the back for Gutan mean that the likes of Vetle Skjaervik and Anders Jenssen are assured of their places in the side, but the pair could require a new partner in the back three.
Youngster Mamadou Barry was forced off at half time on the weekend, and it is unsure whether he will be available in midweek, so Isak Kjelsrud Vik could slot into the defence.
After receiving a red card inside 20 minutes of the match with Tromso on Saturday, Fredrikstad's Stian Stray Molde will be suspended for Wednesday's edition of the fixture.
Signing for Aristokratene from Tromso during the off-season, striker Mai Traore will be unable to face his former employers due to a thigh injury.
Tromso IL possible starting lineup:
Haugaard; Vik, A Jenssen, Skjaervik; Paintsil, Hjerto-Dahl, R Jenssen, Antonsen, Norheim; Erlien, Nordas
Fredrikstad possible starting lineup:
Fischer; Skaret, Kvile, Woledzi; Rafn, Magnusson, Metcalfe, Hendriksson, Kjaer, Bjorlo; Sorlokk
We say: Tromso IL 2-1 Fredrikstad
After keeping an in-form Fredrikstad at bay over the weekend, Tromso should be confident of continuing their good form at Romssa Arena and recording a third straight win at the venue.
The visitors have enjoyed a fairytale opening to the season as they sit second in the league standings, but we feel that Fredrikstad will be brought back down to earth slightly on Wednesday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
