Norway – Israel 11-10-25

Hey, hey, hey, we're back, and we've thought our way through the roof! The farmer from the north is so close now. Three qualifying matches remain, and if you don't step on any banana peels in the two upcoming home matches, it should be a formality to travel to Italy in November. The two potential banana peels that we have to dance our way past are Israel and Estonia at home in Ullevål. The first this coming Saturday, the second next month, three days before kick-off in the homeland of pasta. Norway has everything in its own hands, full pot, a dominant goal difference, and Erling Braut Haaland. Because Haaland is Norwegian, as crazy as it is, the world's best striker is Norwegian. The boy from Bryne scored a classic Haaland goal for Manchester City this weekend, where muscles and goal flair were in perfect balance. If only he could continue on Norwegian soil until the weekend! But, it's not all rosy. National team captain Ødegaard had to throw in the towel for Arsenal on Saturday, and it is very uncertain what condition the heart of the Norwegian national team will be in. And we must be sharp when the whistle blows on Saturday at 6 pm, because Israel is no throwaway. They have 15 goals in five games, they put four balls past Donnarumma in the slightly sensational 4-5 match against Italy, and they have the tools to pour wormwood into the Norwegian cup. Norway won 4-2 over the Israelis when we met in March, a result Solbakken had welcomed with open arms this autumn evening. When Saturday comes, we turn off the world and turn on the TV – because now it matters more than ever!

Norway – Now it must work, right? Yes? No nonsense this time!

Because we're not going to waste space on the snow that fell last year. All the chances that were wasted, and all the times we had our own destiny in our own hands, but went on the sly at the very last second. Because it happened. It happened, and we just have to forget about it. This qualification is different. It just has to be, because it should end with Norway being ready for the World Cup next summer. Nothing else is accepted.

We have to deal with the negative right away. Martin Ødegaard, our national team captain, is out of the game with a nasty knee injury. The leader had to give up in the last Premier League game, and if Solbakken had had hair, he would probably have been hairless that night. Because this is an ugly line in the bill. Much of Norway's play goes through Martin, and much of the effort and smartness is dictated by his wise head. The captain is good for the national team, and he usually sets the standard. He is now out, and we have to find another solution. Is the solution called Oscar Bobb?

Because Pep's favorite is in form. At least the form is starting to approach, and the fact that Bobb started the last Premier League match for City was a small gift package for Solbakken. He will take these minutes with him to the national team, and now that Ødegaard is out we need a man with Bobb's qualities. How the team will be stacked is still a bit uncertain, but it is clear, with Haaland, Sørloth, Nusa and the aforementioned Bobb at his disposal, there is no shortage of offensive alibis. In addition, Jørgen Strand Larsen is playing football again. The options are many, and one would think that it is the balance that will be decisive.

The match should not be underestimated. Israel scored a somewhat crazy four goals against Italy, and earlier in the qualifiers they also found the net twice against Norway. Six goals against the two supposedly best teams in the group is a lot. We must not take the offensive constellations of Saturday's opponent lightly. What we must note, however, is that the away team in the match concedes a lot. Eleven goals behind their own goalkeeper in five matches gives a somewhat pleasant goal average against. With Norway's qualities up front, this could not be a better fit. Goals on Saturday are the way to points, and three points are the way to the World Cup.

Israel – An inharmonious football team marked by turbulent times

Because it's not just being an athlete in Israel during the day. Being 100% professional and focused while there's a storm going on around your ears at times is not easy. And that's how it is for some of these players, this is their job, and this is their great passion. Mixing sports and politics is always complicated, and no matter how you twist and turn it, someone gets hurt.

Fortunately, we will only talk about Saturday's important qualifying match this time, and in that regard, Israel is fielding a somewhat difficult team to interpret. The matches so far have ended with three wins and two losses. Losses to Norway and Italy. Against strong opposition, you are a number too small, and especially the defensive part of the game is showing cracks. Nine behind in these two losses are ugly numbers. If you are unable to make any serious improvements by Saturday, it may be time for a bullet frame again.

On the other hand, Israel has several capable offensive cards. Dan Biton scores well with goals in the domestic league, as does Dor Peretz from his midfield position. Peretz earns a living at Maccabi Tel Aviv, and is a man to watch out for. His two goals against Italy probably didn't hurt his own self-image either. This man is probably on the block of types to watch out for at Ullevål. There is also Manor Solomon. For those of us who are glued to the screen when English football is on the agenda, Solomon is a familiar face. With experience in both Fulham, Tottenham and Leeds, this is a seasoned gentleman, with a nose for goal. Today, the 26-year-old plays in Spain, in the top tier, for Villarreal. Three games have passed since the transfer from England, and with one goal and one assist, he is already starting to get hot in the shirt. Watch out for this man!

In terms of placement, the train has probably left the platform. Yes, Israel can beat Norway on an optimal day, and they can probably also catch up with Italy if all the zodiac signs are aligned that night, but it is not particularly likely. The fact is that you cannot lose to Norway. Then it is over. The question is, how do you attack a match like that? You are not particularly safe at the back, so do you go for another match like the one we saw against Italy? Attack is the best defense, and if Israel is to get something, I think it will have to be to shock the Vikings from the north with quick transitions and early net rushes. A hairy plan in that case, and a plan that can provide interesting odds bets for those of us who like that.

Conclusion – Two teams that have their strength going forward

The ghosts are still haunting the halls of Ullevål. Old cheers that died down, and were replaced by frustration and silent crying. Men who stood on the mat while the rain poured down, the people who went home, cold and disappointed, and dreams that were shattered. Players who trudged towards the locker room, ugly personal mistakes, bad choices, and a summer that was supposed to contain other things than the European Championship and the World Cup. National team managers who have walked back out onto the grass after a heavy talk in the locker room, stared up at the empty stands, thought about everything that could have been, and disappeared out the back way in time with the floodlights going black. Norway has been here before. Norway has been here before and failed.

The last time we were mentioned in the same breath as a men's World Cup was in 1998 in France. Norway went on a trip with Solskjær, Rekdal, Bjørnebye, Mini, Myggen, and half the Flo family. The same group was largely allowed to try again two years later, then in the European Championship, but after that we have stood on the sidelines and watched. It's time for a change now, isn't it?

Then it's good that we have Haaland. Jærbuen will lead the Norwegian army this weekend, and behind him we have heroic, and good, footballers. Because there has been a quality increase in recent years on the Norwegian national team. We have important players in big European clubs, and we have types who are not Norwegian types in the sense that we are perhaps known for. Individual skills that take your breath away, and finesse and technique we have hardly seen the like of with the Norwegian flag on our chest. Yes, maybe we have to go back to 1998 and a little fair-haired bohemian to find the like?

Norway should win against Israel. And, Norway will win. We are in a very good condition, and even without Ødegaard we have alternatives that can contribute. At least in a match like this. We will challenge in between, we will unleash Nusa down the chalk, and we will see a Haaland who is more than ready to get us over the goal line. The goals will come, maybe not eleven apiece like last time, but they will come. Israel probably knows this too, and then their best card is their own offensive play. A match that waves should actually suit us well, because we have seen how many chances we are capable of producing, and if the away team first breaks through, this can be quite comfortable.

But, we can't guarantee that we'll stay close behind. In fact, it's less likely. Israel has a 15-11 goal difference in five games, which pretty accurately gives an average of 3-2 per match. Now I don't think they'll score three at Ullevål, but you shouldn't discount the fact that they'll score one, at least one. The problem for the visitors is that by the time this one goal is on the board, suddenly two or three have gone the wrong way. The wrong way for them.

The occasion could hardly be greater for Solbakken, and if this match is won, at least one boot in the World Cup is there. Two match balls, two home games, and the world's best striker. Norway will be on full alert on Saturday, and the most dangerous thing of all is to avoid becoming passive. For all intents and purposes, we must steer clear of this. Then the solution is to attack quickly, and that's where we are good. So to get back to the introduction, turn off the world, turn on the TV, and do your part to make this an evening to remember!

World Cup qualification at 18:00: Norway – Israel: Over 2.5 goals for Norway (1.84)

Alternative game

World Cup qualification at 18:00: Norway – Israel: Home win + Over 2.5 goals total (1.67)

World Cup qualification at 18:00: Norway – Israel: Both teams to score (1.95)