Arguably the pick of the gameweek 18 fixtures in the Norwegian Eliteserien will come from SR-Bank Arena where Viking FK will be playing host to Bodo/Glimt on Saturday evening.
The hosts are currently in third place in the league standings with 32 points after 17 matches, while the visitors are leading the way, eight points clear of their opponents.
Match preview
![Viking forward Lars-Jorgen Salvesen in action on April 14, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/lars-jorgen-salvesen.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Viking forward Lars-Jorgen Salvesen in action on April 14, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
After missing out on a spot in Europe by three points last season, Viking look determined not to suffer the same fate this term and have laid a solid foundation over the first half of the campaign.
To date, they have recorded nine wins, five draws and suffered just three losses, which puts them only one point behind second-placed Brann, while they also have a game in hand on the two sides above them.
Last week, Viking were a little unfortunate to have only taken a point against HamKam, as they were by far the better side in the contest, but two own-goals saw them forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
Nevertheless, their record of late is still among the best in the division, as they have notched up six wins, two draws and conceded just one defeat in their last nine games, while also posting four clean sheets in that time.
Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim's side are currently on a four-match winning streak here at SR-Bank Arena and have taken a total of 20 points from a possible 27 at home this season, which is the second-best tally of any side in the division.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt are enjoying another impressive season, currently sitting atop the league standings with a seven-point buffer, while having only conceded two defeats so far this term.
Superlaget will also enter this match in fine spirits after securing a 1-0 lead in their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Jagiellonia Bialystok in midweek on the road.
Prior to that, Kjetil Knutsen's side had eased past Haugesund 4-2 in the league, and they are now unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, including four wins and a 1-1 draw to KFUM at the end of last month.
However, their away record of late has been less impressive, with their two defeats this season both coming in the last five matches on the road, following a run of four consecutive victories at the start of the campaign.
Bodo/Glimt won the last match between these sides 1-0 back in April this year, but they were beaten 3-2 when they faced this opponent at this venue last season.
Team News
© Imago
Viking will have to make do without the services of two first-team players here, with Nick D'Agostino and Franco Lino both ruled out for the foreseeable future with leg and thigh injury respectively.
Sander Svendsen has been in excellent form for the hosts in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last five matches, and he should continue to lead the line here alongside Peter Christiansen and Zlatko Tripic.
Bodo/Glimt, on the other hand, have a laundry list of casualties at present, including four midfielders in Nino Zugelj, Daniel Bassi, Gaute Vetti and Syver Skeide.
In defence, they are currently without Brice Wembangomo, who has missed four matches due to a hamstring injury, while Omar Elabdellaoui and Runar Espejord are both likely to miss the majority of the season with knee injuries.
Viking FK possible starting lineup:
Ostbo; Bjorshol, Langas, Stensness, Urbancic; Tangen, Bell, Kvia-Egeskog; Tripic, Christiansen, Svendsen
Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Khaikin; Sjovold, Moe, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Saltnes, Berg, Evjen; Hauge, Kapskarmo, Mikkelsen
We say: Viking FK 2-2 Bodo/Glimt
While Bodo/Glimt have been very good this season, Kjetil Knutsen now has a fairly severe injury crisis on his hands and will also have one eye on his side's Champions League fixture in midweek.
Changes to the visitors' starting lineup are expected and that could make this a very even contest. Thus, we feel this one will end level at the final whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
