Stromsgodset – Fk Haugesund

Rarely have two teams excelled to such an extent as this year's edition of Strømsgodset and Fk Haugesund. In a negative sense, of course. But even though at first glance they are easy to place in the same box, there are reasons to give one of the teams far greater chances than the other. Especially when it comes to the latest rumors from Fk Haugesund's training ground.

Fk Haugesund – Planner for OBOS

Even though both the administration and the coaching staff claim that the impossible is still possible, those of us who have followed the team for a long time know that it will be the OBOS league at Haugesund Sparebank Arena next year. And there is much to suggest that, deep down, the high-ranking gentlemen have also realized this. Because why else would one appoint a 17-year-old as a permanent goalkeeper? Fauskanger is perhaps Norway's greatest goalkeeping talent, but he is probably no better than Amund Wichne. So the idea here is probably that the youngster will gain valuable experience before the important 2026 season. Or is it to push up the price of one of the biggest sales objects we have in this country?

This year's Haugesund team was particularly weak before the start of the season, and the plan was always that 5-6 experienced players would carry the load, while exciting youngsters would make up the rest of the squad. Nice idea, and the balance is not stupid, if the pillars did the job. They didn't. The aforementioned Amund Wichne is benched, Krusnell has been sold to Sirius, Konradsen is out of contract and Eskesen and Espejord are injured. And then we are left with Bruno Leite and far too many, and far too unfinished, young players.

When Fischer and Nyhammer are also injured, it remains to be seen where the replacements will be sourced from. Kukleci played his first 90 minutes last time, after a long injury break, and will probably continue now that Fischer is out. But in Nyhammer they may lose the only creative player they have. Fk Haugesund has scored five goals in 16 league games, and the offensive is further weakened with Troy on the injury list.

Strømsgodset – Forward-looking, despite dark prospects

Unlike today's away team, the home team has been proactive. There are probably many who have different opinions about Fagermo, but the fact that Godset shows that they want to survive by bringing him in is indisputable. In addition, they have brought in Alie Conteh, Johan Bakke, James Ampofo, Gustav Wiehim and Eirik Holmen Johansen. They show that they want to, and there are signs that it is working.

The visitors had no new names ready when the transfer window opened. They had a striker from the Belgian 2nd division on trial, but sent him home after a couple of training sessions. And they ended up buying a local striker who has mostly only played in the 3rd division. Now there are a couple of Finns on the way in, but none of them will be ready for the match against Strømsgodset.

In addition, there is hope to be found in the latest results. Because even though Fk Haugesund is 0-1-4, and Strømsgodset is 0-0-5, we should remember that the home team has faced Bodø/Glimt, Fredrikstad, Molde, Tromsø and Viking in the last five. And in fact they kept up with all of them, with the exception of the away game against Molde. In the same period, Fk Haugesund has faced HamKam, Vålerenga, KFUM Oslo, Sarpsborg and Kristiansund, and when a team in their situation can only manage one point against such teams, it can only go one way.

Conclusion – different, despite similarities.

In the fight to renew the contract in the Eliteserien, every point counts. And that's why there are much more than just four points between the home team's six points and the away team's two points. If that makes sense. Because if HamKam loses to Bodø/Glimt, and Godset wins here, it will be 8 points up to the important 14th place. A task that is not at all impossible with 13 games remaining.

In addition, we are strengthened in our belief now that the news that Konradsen, Krusnell, Fischer and Nyhammer are also out. A weak team is weakened further. And when the away team scores 0.3 goals per game, and concedes 2.6 goals per game, then we put our money here;

Norway at 17:00: Strømsgodset – Fk Haugesund: Strømsgodset wins (1.68)

Alternative games:

Norway at 17:00: Strømsgodset – Fk Haugesund: Strømsgodset wins -1 Asian handicap (2.14)