The two teams just met in the midweek Norwegian Cup, and KFUM won 1-0. There were several rotations within each team, but that must be a positive for the hosts here, and they will look to build on their success.

KFUM had a mixed start to the season, but recent signs have been more positive, as they have reverted back to their defensive mould. Consecutive clean sheets shows they are back on track, and let’s not forget that they had the second-best xGA in the Eliteserien last season. Lacking goals is sometimes a problem, and they could really do with top striker Johannes Nunez being fit for this clash, which he may well be.

Tromso have struggled to start the season with just one win so far, which came against rock bottom Haugesund on the opening day. They’ve massively leaked goals, although their 4-4 draw at Viking showed they do have some firepower. More was expected of Tromso this season, and the general pattern and performances have been below par.

This is expected to be a low-scoring match, similar to the cup game in midweek. Taking KFUM Oslo in the DNB market looks like a safe play covering for a potential draw, but the home side hold more appeal in this one.

Both sides were expected to struggle this season, but have enjoyed a good start to proceedings. Kristiansund have played the joint-most games of any team, but they do have 10 points on the board from seven games, and that would comfortably be enough over the whole season to avoid relegation. They surprised everyone by beating Stromsgodset 2-1 away last week. This is just their second home game of the campaign, and previously they beat Bryne here 2-1 and lost to Valerenga 0-2.

Fredrikstad are the slight favourites to prevail, and they are the better overall team. This is a side which will be entering European football qualifying rounds this summer, and they merit a lot of respect. Their defence was very impressive last season, and most people thought it would regress this year. However, conceding just two goals from their opening five games tells a different story.

Only Rosenborg have been able to beat Fredrikstad so far, and their clean sheet potential can’t be underestimated. The lack of an away goal is a slight concern, but taking them on a DNB line looks like a safe option because they are rarely beaten. 0-0 or 1-1 scores can’t be ruled out, but a tight away win looks likely if they continue to defend well.

Sarpsborg were involved in an unlikely 0-0 draw away to Viking last week, but this match should have the potential for more goals. For the most part, Sarpsborg fixtures have been very open with a lot of end-to-end action. The previous home game here resulted in a 2-3 defeat to Stromsgodset, but this should be a rebound win against Ham Kam. Sarpsborg have too many attacking weapons to hurt what is usually a poor defence.

Ham Kam also drew 0-0 last week, but that was no real surprise, facing KFUM Oslo, who are one of the most defensive minded sides in the division. That was the first time Ham Kam kept a clean sheet this season, but they will do well to repel the Sarpsborg armoury. Viking beat them 5-2 and Bodo Glimt 3-0, so against the better sides, Ham Kam struggle.

There is a history of goals when these teams meet, not least last season when Ham Kam claimed a famous 7-1 win at this stadium. They could hurt Sarpsborg on the counterattack, so taking over 2.5 goals looks the best option with both teams likely to contribute.

Sandefjord are normally perennial relegation candidates, but it looks like this season they have a good enough squad to be comfortably midtable at worst. They’ve started the season in excellent form with three wins out of five and with a 100% home record. All of Sandefjord’s wins have been to nil, and there looks to be a major defensive improvement from them so far this year. In Stefan Ingi Sigurdarson, they have one of the most in-form strikers in the Eliteserien, so right now they have plenty of bases covered. 

Upon their promotion, Valerenga have won two of their six games so far, but have also lost three of their last four. The fixture list hasn’t been easy, but their defence has been exposed a bit at the top level of Norwegian football. Key man Henrik Bjordal is doubtful for the visitors, who will miss him in midfield. The one positive from their defeat last week v Brann was that striker Muamer Brajanac scored his first goal of the season.

But the early signs are that he is also struggling to adapt to Eliteserien level. Sandefjord definitely seem like the form horse heading into the contest, so backing them on a DNB line looks a solid choice.