Viking FK and SK Brann will play for the first time since 2021 in the Eliteserien on Saturday. Brann spent last season in the second division, gaining promotion at the first time of asking.
Now, SK Brann are aiming to take down Viking FK. History is against Brann, however. The Reds won just one of their last six games in all competitions against Viking.
Blomberg 😮💨 https://t.co/EbSuprPWP0— Sportsklubben Brann (@skbrann) June 12, 2023
Blomberg 😮💨 https://t.co/EbSuprPWP0
Saturday’s match will be a top-four match-up between two teams fighting for European qualification. SK Brann are second in the league after 11 games. However, the Reds are 10 points behind league leader Bodoe/Glimt.
Viking FK are fourth in the standings ahead of round No 12. The Dark Blues took 17 points from their opening 10 games. They have a game in hand over SK Brann and Bodoe.
Brann are in good form going into the fixture and are unbeaten in their last four matches in the Eliteserien. The Reds picked up three wins from those four matches. They conceded five times and scored 12 goals during those four matches.
Viking are also in good form. They picked up 10 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. The Dark Blues won 3-1 against Sarpsborg 08 last time out to end a two-match losing streak.
The Dark Blues have a home record of 3W-1D-1L in the Eliteserien this season. They scored the second-most home goals (16) after four matches at the SR-Bank Arena.
SK Brann have an away record of 2W-1D-1L record since returning to the top flight. The Reds won 3-1 against Aalesund in their last road fixture.
Striker Bard Finne leads SK Brann in goals with nine this season. He added five assists, which tops the team. Brann manager Eirik Horneland favours a 4-3-3 attacking formation, and Finne should spearhead the attack once more.
Viking FK left-back Jost Urbancic is expected to miss the game following a fractured foot. Right-wing Sander Svendsen and left-wing Zlatko Tripic are tied for the team lead in goals with four apiece.
Manager Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim also uses a 4-3-3 attacking formation. Viking signed Nick D’Agostino from Bordeaux before the season.
He has just two goals thus far. D’Agostino is expected to lead the line with Tripic on the left. Svendsen and Birkir Bjarnason are competing for the right-wing spot.
This top-four match-up should see plenty of goals scored between two clubs fighting for European qualification. Brann went winless in five of their last six games against Viking. Saturday’s match should finish in a stalemate, as the teams share the points following a 2-2 draw.