Sandefjordvs.Viking FK

Both teams come into this match following defeats, hoping for a quick turnaround to get their season back on track.

Match preview

Sandefjord narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just two points above the drop zone.

This season, the Boys find themselves in a similar position, currently sitting 14th in the table with seven points after seven matches, level on points with 15th-placed Sarpsborg, who occupy the first relegation spot after playing one more game.

After a winless start with three losses and a draw in their opening four matches, the Vestfold-based team secured back-to-back victories against Molde and Sarpsborg to get their season going.

However, their momentum was halted by a 2-1 defeat to Brann in their last outing. After a scoreless first half, the Boys fell behind to goals from Bard Finne and Emil Kornvig, with Sebastian Holm Mathisen only able to pull one back for Sandefjord.

Both of Sandefjord's wins this campaign have come at home, and they will hope for another strong showing in front of their own supporters. However, the hosts have lost their last two games against Viking and have not won any of the last three encounters between the sides.

Viking narrowly missed out on European football last year, finishing just two points shy of the Europa Conference League places.

The aim this season is to improve on their fourth-placed finish, but the Dark Blues have not quite found their rhythm yet.

After a 1-0 win over Sarpsborg to begin the season, Morten Jensen's side failed to win any of their following four matches, drawing three in a row with one defeat.

The Dark Blues bounced back with another narrow 1-0 victory over Stromsgodset, but a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Lillestrom last time highlighted areas for improvement if they want to challenge for the heights of last season.

Currently in sixth place with 12 points after eight matches, Viking are tied on points with KFUM Oslo but sit five points behind Fredrikstad and Molde, who occupy third and fourth place respectively.

Sandefjord Norwegian Eliteserien form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

Viking FK Norwegian Eliteserien form:

D

D

D

W

W

L

Team News

Sandefjord will be without 23-year-old midfielder Marcus Melchior, who is ruled out with an ankle injury until late July.

Another midfielder, Filip Loftesnes-Bjune, is also sidelined due to a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until later this month.

Norwegian striker Alexander Ruud Tveter has scored two goals in seven league appearances so far and will be looking to add to this tally when he leads the line once again.

Viking have only one player absent ahead of this clash, as midfielder Kristoffer Lokberg is ruled out with a broken ankle until late May.

Lars Jorgen Salvesen has three goals having played eight matches this season and should spearhead the attack for the visitors once again.

Sandefjord possible starting lineup:

Keto; Pedersen, Berglie, Kristiansen, Cheng; Mettler, Ottosson, Amin; Dunsby, Tveter, Markovic

Viking FK possible starting lineup:

Gunnarsson; Haugen, Stensness, Langaas, Vevatne; Kvia-Egeskog, Bell, Auklend; Tripic, Salvesen, Christiansen

We say: Sandefjord 1-1 Viking FK

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