The 2017 Eliteserien is well under way in Norway and its little surprise to see the kings of Norwegian football, Rosenborg, sitting top of the table. Rosenborg have 32 points in first place, with SK Brann second on 27 points and Sarpsborg 08 in third place, also on 27 points but behind on goal difference. This Sunday, SK Brann and Sarpsborg 08 meet at the Brann Stadion, Bergen.
It is now 10 years since SK Brann last won the Eliteserien title, although they came runners-up last year to qualify for the Europa League. Having been relegated from the top-flight in 2014, SK Brann have done well to come back strongly in Norwegian football.
Sarpsborg 08 are a new club, having been formed in 2008 and finished in a record high of sixth place in the Eliteserien last season. The club aim to continue their progress by finishing inside the top three places this season.
SK Brann Form
SK Brann are unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 Eliteserien games and are undefeated in their last 10 home matches.
However, a closer look at their form reveals they won just 1 of their last 6 Eliteserien games, so although they been tough to beat, SK Brann have struggled to win matches. They have lost 1 and drawn 4 of those 6 games and therefore remain in second place in the table, rather than top.
SK Brann are undefeated in 19 of their last 20 league games at home.
Sarpsborg 08 Form
Much like their opponents, Sarpsborg have been struggling to win matches recently but have been difficult to defeat.
They have drawn their last 3 games in the Eliteserien and come into this match in third place, behind SK Brann on goal difference. Despite losing just 1 of their last 6 games, Sarpsborg have won just 1 match in that time and with 1 defeat and 3 draws in their last 4, they need to return to winning ways if they are to keep pace with Rosenborg at the top of the table.
Sarpsborg 08 have won just 3 of their last 13 away games in the Eliteserien.
Team News
SK Brann could be without Deyver Vega and Daniel Braaten who rated as doubtful for this game. Manager Lars Nilsen, may be tempted to rotate his squad with the second leg of the Europa League coming up and the possibility of a clash with Everton.
Sarpsborg 08 will be without the suspended midfielder Matti Lund Nielsen and there are doubts over the fitness of forward Jonas Linberg.
Top Betting Tips
These teams met recently in the Eliteserien, playing out a 1-1 draw in Sarpsborg and there is every reason to believe we could see a similar result in this game. The draw is available at 11/5 with Ladbrokes and the 1-1 final score is 6/1 at William Hill.
Sarpsborg 08 have failed to score in their last 3 away league games, while SK Brann have conceded just 1 goal in their last 4 home games. If SK Brann do win this game, it will probably be to nil and you back this outcome at 11/4 with Ladbrokes.
Despite being held to a 0-0 draw with Valerenga in their previous home league game, SK Brann have scored an average of 3 goals per game in their last 5 at the Brann Stadion. You can get 18/5 for SK Brann to score 3 or more goals in this game.