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Norwegian Eliteserien | Gameweek 11
Jun 24, 2023 at 5pm UK
SR-Bank Arena

Viking FK
3 - 1
Brann

Tripic (41' pen., 75'), Salvesen (69')
Yazbek (49'), Diop (86')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Finne (32')
Pallesen Knudsen (60'), Heltne Nilsen (64'), Torsvik (90')

Preview: Viking FK vs. SK Brann - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Norwegian Eliteserien clash between Viking FK and SK Brann, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Viking FK will be aiming to move one point behind SK Brann in the Norwegian Eliteserien table by beating them on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are 10 points behind runaway leaders Bodo/Glimt.


Match preview

Scott Wright pictured for Aberdeen against Viking FK in September 2020© Reuters

Having fallen to the second tier of Norwegian football for the first time in almost 30 years when succumbing to relegation in 2017, Viking have bounced back strongly to re-establish themselves in the top division.

De Morkebla lifted the nation's domestic cup for the first time in 18 years in their first season back at the top level, which rewarded them with qualification for the Europa League for the first time in more than a decade.

Viking went on to finish third in 2021, with a Europa Conference League place the by-product of that particular achievement, but their standards dropped last time around with an 11th-placed finish.

Managed by two head coaches in the form of Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, Viking appear likely to be in store for a more successful season this time around, with back-to-back away wins in recent weeks seeing them move up to fourth in the table ahead of hosting Brann on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, suffered a shock relegation themselves two seasons ago, before bouncing back at the first attempt by lifting the first division last time out.

Brann established themselves as one of Norway's strongest teams in the mid-2000's, regularly qualifying for Europe before winning only the club's third domestic title in 2007.

More sensationally than bouncing back at the first attempt, which was to be expected for a club of their standing and resources, Eirik Horneland and his players won the Norwegian Cup despite being a second-tier side, with Bard Finne scoring 11 goals in the tournament.

Horneland has become an incredibly popular figure in Bergen courtesy of rebuilding the club, and they have taken to the top division like a duck to water, with 21 points from their opening 11 matches seeing them sit in second spot ahead of travelling to Stavanger this weekend.

Viking FK Norwegian Eliteserien form:

SK Brann Norwegian Eliteserien form:


Team News

Viking will remain without Jost Urbanic due to a fractured foot, with the left-back likely to be out of action for at least another month.

Having defeated Sarpsborg 08 by three goals to one in their last match, Jensen and Aarsheim may see little reason to make any alterations to their starting XI.

Brann, meanwhile, appear to have a clean bill of health at their disposal ahead of a crucial fixture on Saturday.

Despite dropping points in a 2-2 draw at home to Lillestrom last weekend, Horneland may also name the same team, with Niklas Castro likely to be full of confidence after bagging again.


Viking FK possible starting lineup:
Gunnarsson; Haugen, Stensness, Brekalo, Pattynama; De Lanlay, Solbakken, Tangen; Bjarnason, D'Agostino, Tripic

SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Dyngeland; Pedersen, Knudsen, Sery, Wolfe; Rasmussen, Nilsen, Myhre; Blomberg, Finne, Castro


SM words green background

We say: Viking FK 1-1 SK Brann

With both of these sides enjoying a rise in status in recent years following bouncing back from the second tier at the first attempt, Saturday's meeting should make for an entertaining encounter.

In truth, there is likely to be little to split the two teams, so we can envisage a second successive draw for Brann, who may be happy to maintain their four-point lead over Viking in the table.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Viking FK vs Brann

Viking FK
48.0%
Draw
34.7%
SK Brann
17.3%
98
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bodo/GlimtBodo/Glimt29178466293759
2SK BrannBrann29177554322258
3Viking FKViking FK29168560382256
4MoldeMolde29157764352952
5RosenborgRosenborg2915594839950
6Fredrikstad2913973835348
7StromsgodsetStromsgodset2998123140-935
8KFUM OsloKFUM29810113336-334
9SandefjordSandefjord2997134145-434
10KristiansundKristiansund29810113241-934
11Sarpsborg 08Sarpsborg2997134154-1334
12HamKam2989123437-333
13Tromso ILTromso2996143342-933
14FK HaugesundHaugesund2986152745-1830
15Lillestrom2973193158-2724
16Odd2958162552-2723


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