Lillestrom will be looking to win their third successive league game when they host Rosenborg in the Eliteserien on Friday evening.

The hosts have claimed nine points from their opening six matches, while the visitors have accumulated 14 points from their first nine games.

Match preview

After beating Haugesund 2-1 on home soil two weeks ago, Lillestrom won by the same scoreline away at Tromso last weekend.

A brace from striker Thomas Lehne Olsen either side of half time helped Geir Bakke's men secure all three points, and they have now moved up to eighth in the table, three points above the relegation zone.

Lillestrom head into Friday's encounter after failing to win any of their last 22 meetings with Rosenborg, though they have drawn their last two matches against them on home soil.

The Canaries, who last won the Eliteserien title back in 1989, could move into the top six if they were to cause an upset and win at the Lillestrom Stadion.

As for Rosenborg, they have had a difficult start to their 2021 league campaign so far and have lost their last two matches against Stromsgodset and Sarpsborg, fixtures they were strong favourites to win.

These results have already seen a gap of six points open up between themselves and league leaders Bodo/Glimt, who are hoping to retain the title this time around.

The 26-time champions, managed by former Denmark and Norway head coach Age Hareide, will be aware that there is still plenty of time to turn their fortunes around, but the Troll Children will want to pick up points quickly and build momentum if they are to challenge for their first title in three years.

Rosenborg have an impressive record against Lillestrom, losing just four of their 36 meetings against them across all competitions.

Securing a much-needed win on Friday would provide a huge boost for Hareide's men, who could move up to third and three points behind both Molde and Bodo/Glimt if they were to lose their next league matches.

Team News

Lillestrom boss Bakke could name the same starting lineup for the third successive league game, which would see Espan Garnas, Igoh Ogbu and Philip Slordahl all keep their places in central defence.

Olsen, who has scored four goals in the last two games, will likely lead the line in attack alongside Gjermund Asen, while Ulrik Mathisen, Ifeanjy Matthew and Kaan Kairinen are all expected to start in central midfield.

As for Rosenburg, key midfielder Kristoffer Zachariassen, who has scored seven goals in his first eight league games, is back from suspension and is expected to start.

He could replace former Norwich City midfielder Alexander Tettey in the middle of the pitch, while Carlo Holse, Dino Islamovic and Emil Konradsen Ceide are likely to keep their partnership in attack.

Lillestrom possible starting lineup:
Christiansen; Garnas, Ogbu, Slordahl; Ranger, Kairinen, Matthew, Mathisen, Dragsnes; Asen, Olsen

Rosenborg possible starting lineup:
Hansen; Reitan, Eyjolfsson, Hovland, Augustinsson; Skjelbred, Hoff, Zachariassen; Holse, Islamovic, Ceide

We say: Lillestrom 1-1 Rosenborg

Lillestrom are the side who head into this encounter with the better form, while Rosenborg will be keen to get back on track quickly with a victory on Friday.

The hosts have yet to draw so far this campaign, but we feel that they may do so at the Lillestrom Stadion, as there is little to separate the two teams.

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