Preview: Bryne vs Viking FK - prediction, team news, lineups

Viking FK will be bidding to bounce back from successive defeats in the Eliteserien when they continue their campaign with an away fixture against Bryne on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors are currently top of the Eliteserien table, boasting 36 points from 17 matches, while Bryne are 12th, having picked up 18 points from their 14 league games during the current season.

Match preview

Bryne have a record of five wins, three draws and six defeats from their 14 league matches this season, with a total of 18 points leaving them in 12th spot in the table, four points ahead of 14th position.

Kevin Knappen's side will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Tromso, which actually proved to be their first loss in the top flight of Norwegian football since May 20.

Bryne, who earned promotion from the second tier last season, have never won the Norwegian top flight, but they have been runners-up on two previous occasions, last finishing second in 1982.

The team's main focus for this season is to consolidate back in the top flight, and they have managed to win four of their seven league matches in front of their own supporters during the current campaign.

Viking, meanwhile, are top of the Eliteserien, boasting a record of 11 wins, three draws and three defeats from their 17 matches, with 36 points leaving them five points ahead of second-placed Tromso.

On the face of it, their lead is comfortable, but that is not the case, as Tromso have three games in hand, while fourth-placed Bodo/Glimt are also a team to watch, sitting seven points behind with three games in hand.

Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim's side have actually lost their last two in the league, going down 3-1 at Brann on July 13 before suffering a 4-2 home reverse to Bodo/Glimt last time out.

That said, Viking returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion on Thursday night, recording a 7-0 victory over Koper in the first leg of their second qualifying round contest in the Conference League.

The Dark Blues are eight-time Eliteserien champions, with their last success coming in 1991, so it would be some story if they could finish at the top of the division this season.

Bryne Norwegian Eliteserien form:

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Viking FK Norwegian Eliteserien form:

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Viking FK form (all competitions):

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Team News

Duarte Moreira has been a standout performer for Bryne during the current season, scoring six times in 16 appearances, and he will again feature in the final third of the field.

Nicklas Strunck has also been in strong form this term, scoring three times from midfield, and he will feature in the starting side.

No fresh injuries have been reported ahead of the contest with Viking, so there are not expected to be any surprises when it comes to their XI, with Jacob Haahr also set to be in the side at the back.

As for Viking, Peter Christiansen has been in excellent form this term, scoring 10 times in 22 appearances, and the 25-year-old will lead the away side's attack in this game.

Zlatko Tripic has nine goals to his name this term, and he will also be in the side on Sunday.

However, Edvin Austbo, Nick D'Agostino and Gianni Stensness will miss the contest due to fitness issues.

Bryne possible starting lineup:

De Boer; Kryger, Haahr, Husebo, Gaye; Saunes, Sodal, Strunck, Thornes; Moreira, Scriven

Viking FK possible starting lineup:

Klaesson; Heggheim, Baertelsen, Falchener, K. Haugen; Bell; H. Haugen, Kvia-Egeskog, Hansen, Tripic; Christiansen

We say: Bryne 1-2 Viking FK

Viking will be determined to bounce back following a couple of Eliteserien defeats in quick succession, and we are backing the visitors to secure a huge three points in the context of their title race.

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