Round 11 of the 2023 Norwegian Eliteserien season sees Tromso IL entertain the challenge of Stabaek Football at Romssa Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The home side come into this one looking to pick up a seventh straight win, while their visitors go in search of a first victory in four outings.
Match preview
Tromso showed great resolve to see off the threat of Aalesund and claim a thrilling 3-2 triumph in the teams' meeting at Color Line Stadion on June 11.
Gaute Helstrup's men fell behind to Bjorn Kristensen's opener but managed to turn the game on its head through a Vegard Erlien double and Niklas Vesterlund's strike before Markus Karlsbakk pulled one back to set up a frenetic finale.
Consequently, the Boys have moved up to third place in the Norwegian Eliteserien table, one point behind Brann in second and a further 10 behind leaders Bodo/Glimt.
Next up is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit with just one victory from the last eight editions of this fixture across all competitions.
Having ended a run of two straight home defeats in their most recent outing, Sunday's hosts set out to pick up consecutive home league wins for the first time this term.
Stabaek ended a two-game losing streak with a 2-2 stalemate against Rosenberg when the sides locked horns at Nadderud Stadion two Sundays ago.
Lars Bohinen's men raced to a commanding lead thanks to strikes from Kaloyan Kostadinov and Mushaga Bakenga before Jayden Nelson and Agon Sadiku netted in either half to force a share of the spoils.
Boasting 15 points from their 10 league outings so far, De Blaa sit eighth in the standings but could potentially move up to fourth with their game in hand.
Off the back of two straight defeats on the road leading up to Sunday's affair, the visitors will be keen to turn their away fortunes around by securing a positive result here.
Team News
Tromso's Hilmir Mikaelsson remains unavailable for selection with a muscle problem which has seen him sit out each of the last seven matches.
Oskar Opsahl also misses out for the hosts with a knee problem, while 31-year-old Jakob Haugaard is currently battling with a damaged shoulder.
Vegard Erlien's double against Aalesund took him up to four goals in his last four appearances, making him one to keep a close eye on here.
Kevin Kabran is not expected to play any part for Stabaek in this one due to an ankle problem, and the midfielder is joined on the sidelines by Kasper Pedersen.
Mushaga Bakenga will be aiming to extend his scoring streak to four matches after recently going 11 matches with a goal for this weekend's visitors.
Tromso IL possible starting lineup:
Thomas; Oyvann, Psyche, Gundersen; Bassi, Jenssen, Opsahl, Vesterlund; Antonsen, Paintsil, Erlien
Stabaek Football possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Skovgaard, Naess, Jensen; Pachonik, Lucca, Edwards, Ottesen; Hogh, Bakenga, Geelmuyden
We say: Tromso IL 2-1 Stabaek Football
Tromso are on a significantly better run of results heading into this one, and the added advantage of playing in front of their fans makes them favourites to come out on top here. While we expect Stabaek to put up a decent fight, we are backing the hosts to emerge triumphant come the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
