Preview: Viking FK vs. SK Brann - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are 10 points behind runaway leaders Bodo/Glimt.

Match preview

Having fallen to the second tier of Norwegian football for the first time in almost 30 years when succumbing to relegation in 2017, Viking have bounced back strongly to re-establish themselves in the top division.

De Morkebla lifted the nation's domestic cup for the first time in 18 years in their first season back at the top level, which rewarded them with qualification for the Europa League for the first time in more than a decade.

Viking went on to finish third in 2021, with a Europa Conference League place the by-product of that particular achievement, but their standards dropped last time around with an 11th-placed finish.

Managed by two head coaches in the form of Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, Viking appear likely to be in store for a more successful season this time around, with back-to-back away wins in recent weeks seeing them move up to fourth in the table ahead of hosting Brann on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, suffered a shock relegation themselves two seasons ago, before bouncing back at the first attempt by lifting the first division last time out.

Brann established themselves as one of Norway's strongest teams in the mid-2000's, regularly qualifying for Europe before winning only the club's third domestic title in 2007.

More sensationally than bouncing back at the first attempt, which was to be expected for a club of their standing and resources, Eirik Horneland and his players won the Norwegian Cup despite being a second tier side, with Bard Finne scoring 11 goals in the tournament.

Horneland has become an incredibly popular figure in Bergen courtesy of rebuilding the club, and they have taken to the top division like a duck to water, with 21 points from their opening 11 matches seeing them sit in second spot ahead of travelling to Stavanger this weekend.

Viking FK Norwegian Eliteserien form:

D

W

W

L

L

W

SK Brann Norwegian Eliteserien form:

D

L

W

W

W

D

Team News

Viking will remain without Jost Urbanic due to a fractured foot, with the left-back likely to be out of action for at least another month.

Having defeated Sarpsborg 08 by three goals to one in their last match, Jensen and Aarsheim may see little reason to make any alterations to their starting XI.

Brann, meanwhile, appear to have a clean bill of health at their disposal ahead of a crucial fixture on Saturday.

Despite dropping points in a 2-2 draw at home to Lillestrom last weekend, Horneland may also name the same team, with Niklas Castro likely to be full of confidence after bagging again.

Viking FK possible starting lineup:

Gunnarsson; Haugen, Stensness, Brekalo, Pattynama; De Lanlay, Solbakken, Tangen; Bjarnason, D'Agostino, Tripic

SK Brann possible starting lineup:

Dyngeland; Pedersen, Knudsen, Sery, Wolfe; Rasmussen, Nilsen, Myhre; Blomberg, Finne, Castro

We say: Viking FK 1-1 SK Brann

With both of these sides enjoying a rise in status in recent years following bouncing back from the second tier at the first attempt, Saturday's meeting should make for an entertaining encounter.

In truth there is likely to be little to split the two teams, so we can envisage a second successive draw for Brann, who may be happy to maintain their four-point lead over Viking in the table.

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