Preview: FK Haugesund vs. Lillestrom - prediction, team news, lineups

While the visitors currently sit in sixth position in the standings, Haugesund find themselves in 12th spot, four points clear of the bottom three.

Match preview

Throughout May, June and at the beginning of this month, Lillestrom's form could only be described as inconsistent with two wins, two draws and three defeats being posted during that period.

However, Simon Mesfin's promotion to interim head coach has acted as a catalyst for a rapid turnround, Lillestrom having now prevailed from three games in succession.

The Canaries have scored 11 goals during victories over Rosenborg, Sandefjord and Aalesund, the latter two opponents occupying the bottom spots in the division.

That said, Lillestrom's ruthlessness was still impressive, the 5-1 triumph over Aalesund coming after the visitors had taken the lead but were then reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards.

Lillestrom now sit just three points adrift of second place with a game in hand on several of the teams above them, and the opportunity is there to get involved in the race for the European positions.

From the perspective of Haugesund, they head into this encounter on the back of two successive defeats, albeit away to the top two clubs in the league.

Having gone down 2-0 to second-placed Viking, Haugesund took an early lead versus runaway frontrunners Bodo/Glimt before ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 reverse.

Nevertheless, Jostein Grindhaug will take positives from each performance, the Seagulls still on a run of three wins from their most recent six Eliterserien contests.

Although being brought back into a relegation scrap will remain a concern, Haugesund are arguably just another win away from moving clear of the bottom three, something which will provide them with motivation ahead of trying to post a third success in a row at their home ground.

FK Haugesund Norwegian Eliteserien form:

W

W

L

W

L

L

Lillestrom Norwegian Eliteserien form:

W

D

L

W

W

W

Team News

Having pushed Bodo/Glimt last time out, Grindhaug will be keen to name the same Haugesund XI for this contest.

Former West Ham United youngster Martin Samuelsen was introduced as a substitute in that fixture, but the winger has not done enough this season to warrant a recall.

Although Bilal Njie is now available again, the attacker, who has three goals and one assist this season, will likely start this match among the replacements.

Ruben Gabrielsen may miss out for Lillestrom having needed to go off injured during the midweek triumph over Aalesund.

Assuming that Mesfin opts to stay with a 3-5-2 formation, Philip Slordahl could be provided with just his fifth appearance of the season in an otherwise unchanged lineup.

FK Haugesund possible starting lineup:

Selvik; Therkildsen, Baertelsen, Reese, Krusnell; Krygard, Christensen; Sande, Pajaziti, Leite; Diarra

Lillestrom possible starting lineup:

Hedenstad; Skjaervik, Slordahl, Garnas; Ranger, Asen, Hoff, Ibrahimaj, Dragsnes; Adams, Olsen

We say: FK Haugesund 1-2 Lillestrom

Despite the difference in points and league positions, this has the potential to be a close match with Liilestrom possessing the joint-worst defensive record in the top nine. Nevertheless, we still expect the visitors to edge this contest, potentially through a late goal.

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