Stabaek welcome Lillestrom to the Nadderud Stadion on Saturday evening as they attempt to move into the top three of the Eliteserien in Norway.
With the winner of the league the only team who qualifies for the Champions League, this leaves just two spots for the Europa League. The money gained from these competitions makes a huge difference to these clubs, so finishing inside the top three places is huge.
Stabaek come into this match in fifth place in the Eliteserien, with 18 points from eleven games played. However, despite being in fifth, they are only 4 points off the leaders Rosenborg and 3 points off third place Sarpsborg 08.
With second placed Brann playing fourth placed Odd on Sunday, there is a good chance Stabaek will move up the table if they can win this match.
Lillestrom have a different agenda as they find themselves in the relegation zone, sitting one from bottom in the table. Viking are rooted in sixteenth place with just 5 points from their eleven games, while Lillestrom are 6 points better off in fifteenth.
With three teams above Lillestrom on 12 points, a victory in the game opens the possibility they could move out of the relegation zone and start climbing the table.
Trends show Stabaek are unbeaten in four of their last five Eliteserien games and while this looks like decent form, a closer look tells a different story. Stabaek have won only one of those four games, which was a 2-1 victory at Stromgodset. They have drawn the other three games and it’s this which has prevented them from being at the top of the league.
The 0-0 home draw with current league leaders Rosenborg was a decent result but the 1-1 draw with bottom of table Viking was a poor result. It’s results like this, which will prevent Stabaek from being at the top of the Eliteserien.
Lillestrom have also been struggling to pick up wins of late and trends show they have won only two of their last ten Eliteserien games.
Interestingly, 6 of the 8 points they have picked up over that period of games have come away from home. Lillestrom have drawn at Kristiansund and Rosenborg plus picked up a 1-0 win at Sogndal. They also won their first Eliteserien game in five attempts last weekend, defeating Tromso 4-1 at home.
Stabaek are without Franck Boli for this game and it is likely the forward will be out for some time. Singh Sandhu and Mande Sayouba are competing over the number one spot, with the Indian currently holding favour.
Bajram Ajeti is suspended for Lillestrom having picked up his third yellow card of the season last week. Erling Knudtzon scored a hattrick in the win over Tromso and will be given the nod in attack, along with Chigozie Udoji.
Stabaek have lost just one of their six home league games this season. Lillestrom have won only one of their five away and this suggests a home win. However, Stabaek have struggled for goals at home of late and Lillestrom have won 5 points on the road from their last three games.
This match could easily end level, with under 2.5 goals scored.