Tromso IL play host to Valerenga Fotball on Sunday looking for the victory which will see them stay in relatively close proximity to Eliteserien leaders Bodo/Glimt.
Meanwhile, Valerenga find themselves at the opposite end of the table, entering the next batch of games just one point above the relegation zone.
Match preview
After last season's seventh-placed finish, those associated with Tromso would have hoped for gradual improvement towards the upper echelons of the Norwegian top flight in 2023.
Instead, their team, still under the guidance of Gaute Helstrup, have enjoyed a sensational start to the new campaign, recording eight wins and two draws from their opening 12 games.
As a result, Tromso sit in second spot, six points adrift of the frontrunners with a game in hand, and they currently find themselves on a five-match winning streak in the league.
Each of those successes have come by a one-goal margin, with Tromso coming from behind on three occasions to seal maximum points to suggest that they have the character to challenge Bodo/Glimt in the long term.
Tromso also possess the best defensive record in the division, conceding 11 times in 12 outings, but the clean sheet kept in the 1-0 triumph at Lillestrom last time out was their first in seven league fixtures.
In sharp contrast, Valerenga have lost their most recent four encounters in the Eliteserien, three of those four defeats coming by one-goal margins.
Prior to that slump, seven points had been collected from three games, yet Jan Frode Nornes has since being promoted to interim boss in a bid to arrest their poor form.
Although Valerenga sit in 13th place, it should be noted that they have a game in hand on the bottom two teams in the division as well as at least one match in hand on the five clubs directly above them.
Nevertheless, they are under pressure to take advantage of that scenario at a time that they will be grateful to be playing away from the Intility Arena after three successive home defeats.
Team News
Mai Traore chipped in with his second goal in four league outings for Tromso versus Lillestrom, but the forward later had to be withdrawn through injury.
Depending on the formation used by Helstrup, Vegard Erlien could revert to a central role in Traore's absence, with Jens Hjerto-Dahl coming into the side.
Kent-Are Antonsen could drop back to left wing-back to replace Yaw Paintsil, who was also injured versus Lillestrom, and that could see Jakob Napoleon Romsaas included in the final third.
Valerenga will have to make at least one alteration courtesy of Fredrik Oldrup Jensen's red card versus Viking FK, Aleksander Hammer Kjelsen in line to deputise in the centre of defence.
Changes may be made in the final third with Jacob Dicko Eng and Torgeir Borven both pushing for opportunities.
Tromso IL possible starting lineup:
Haugaard; Oyvann, Gundersen, Psyche; Vesterlund, Jenssen, Opsahl, Antonssen; Hjerto-Dahl, Romsaas; Erlien
Valerenga Fotball possible starting lineup:
Sjoeng; Hedenstad, Kjelsen, Strandberg, Juklerod; Bjordal, Strand, Riisnaes; Hakans, Jatta, Ofkir
We say: Tromso IL 2-1 Valerenga Fotball
While Valerenga arguably deserve to be higher in the table than 13th position, losing seven times in 11 games suggests that confidence cannot be high. Meanwhile, Tromso have made a habit of racking up victories, sometimes by tight margins, and we feel that the home side will do enough to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
