Having seen their perfect start to the 2024-25 Danish Superliga campaign come to an end last time out, Randers will do battle against Silkeborg at Cepheus Park on Sunday afternoon.
The away side, meanwhile, make the journey in search of back-to-back league victories for the first time this term after returning to winning ways in their last domestic outing.
Match preview
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Off the back of a strong end to pre-season, Randers made a fast start to their league journey with 3-2 and 3-1 victories over Vejle and Viborg respectively in their first two outings.
However, Rasmus Bertelsen's men had to make do with a share of the spoils against FC Copenhagen last time out in a 1-1 stalemate at the Parken Stadium on Sunday.
Nonetheless, a tally of seven points from three matches represents the Horses' best start since 2021, and they currently sit third in the Danish Superliga table, level on points with leaders Nordsjaelland.
Randers also boast the joint-best attacking record in the division so far with seven goals, which augurs well for a team that only managed two goals across their final three league games of the previous campaign.
With three of their next four games coming at home where they are unbeaten in six straight competitive games, Sunday's hosts will be looking to continue their early-season momentum in the quest to secure a first league title ever.
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Silkeborg just about did enough to come away with maximum points courtesy of a 3-2 triumph in a five-goal thriller against Viborg on Sunday afternoon.
This was in keeping with SIF's high-scoring clashes this season, with their last five involvements across all competitions yielding 21 goals since a narrow 1-0 win over Sonderjyske on matchday one.
Kent Nielsen's men have now won two of their three league matches either side of a 2-1 defeat against Aalborg to leave them fifth in the standings, one point shy of their next opponents.
Silkeborg will head into this weekend's encounter with just a three-day turnover from their last outing following a 2-2 draw against Belgian outfit Gent in the first leg of the sides' Conference League qualifier.
Sunday's visitors are on the road in their next two games and having not won a competitive game away from home since May, they will be keen to turn their fortunes around, starting with this weekend's trip.
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Team News
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Randers trio Edgar Babayan, Noah Shamoun and Oliver Zanden are all unavailable for this one as they continue to nurse respective injury problems.
Forward Florian Danho is ineligible to play any part in this one after receiving his marching orders in the draw against Copenhagen.
Frederik Lauenborg was hauled off with an injury scare 11 minutes after scoring last time out, and the Dane is a major doubt for this weekend.
This should see 18-year-old Sabil Hansen make his first start of the season, although Hugo Andersson is also a potential candidate to come into the lineup.
Alexander Busch is without an outing for Silkeborg since early February due to a knee injury, which is set to keep him out of Sunday's game.
With one eye on his side's European commitment in midweek, Kent Nielsen could contemplate making a number of changes to keep the energy levels high.
Andreas Pyndt will be pushing for a return to the XI after coming off the bench to set up Tonni Adamsen's stoppage-time equaliser against Gent.
The aforementioned Adamsen has found the back of the net four times in his last two appearances for the away side, making him one to keep an eye on.
Randers possible starting lineup:
Izzo; Dyhr, Dammers, Hoegh, Olsen; Enggaard, Bjorkengren, Hansen; Odey, Bany, Nordli
Silkeborg possible starting lineup:
N Larsen; Sonne, Rodin, Ganchas, Poulsen; M Larsen, Pyndt, Klynge, Andersen; Adamsen, Bakiz
We say: Randers 2-2 Silkeborg
The last five editions of this fixture have resulted in a combined 21 goals, and we are expecting another entertaining affair here.
We are also backing the teams to cancel each other out and settle for a point apiece in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
