Rosenborg host Kristiansund on Saturday at the Lerkendal Stadion. The hosts sit in sixth place ahead of the tie and are winless in five straight fixtures.
Kristiansund are fourth in the standings and fighting for the Eliteserien title. They are six points off of Molde in the table and are on a three-match unbeaten streak.
Rosenborg and Kristiansund played twice last season in the Eliteserien with both fixtures finishing in nil-nil draws. Neither side could get the breakthrough in 2020 and this weekend’s fixture could see a similar result.
Head coach Age Hareide’s Rosenborg have taken 10 points from 18 on offer at home this season. The Troll Children have outscored opponents 14-6 at the Lerkendal Stadion.
Kristiansund have had their issues on the road. They are winless in back-to-back matches away from home. Seven points have been taken from 15 on offer for Kristiansund this season. Kristiansund are –3 in goal difference away from home with just three goals tallied.
Hareide has three players on the Rosenborg injury list going into the game this weekend. Midfielders Per Ciljan Skjelbred, Stefano Vecchia, and Markus Henriksen are all on the injury list ahead of the fixture.
Vecchia is the only one of the three that could return in time for the match following a back injury. Skjelbred is ruled out until September with an Achilles’ tendon injury. Henriksen is also ruled out of the game and is recovering from a ligament issue.
Kristiansund manager Christian Michelsen has no new injury issues going into the match. Michelsen will be able to choose from a fully fit squad.
The team’s goals have been scored by committee this season. Four players have scored two goals apiece of the team.
Rosenborg’s Kristoffer Zachariassen is one of the Eliteserien’s top scorers. He has tallied eight of the team’s 22 goals.
Zachariassen has accounted for 36% of Rosenborg’s scoring this term. The central midfielder scored last weekend versus Odds in Rosenborg’s 2-2 draw.
Kristiansund are coming off of a hard-fought 3-2 win versus Brann Monday night. Michelsen should continue with a 4-3-3 formation. Forward Flamur Kastrati has been the coach’s preferred player to lead the line, but could make way for Brynjolfur Willumsson.
Last season, Rosenborg and Kristiansund played two matches that both finished in nil-nil draws. The clubs could once again play out a scoreless stalemate at the Lerkendal Stadion.
Rosenborg have drawn their last two league games while Kristiansund have had two of their lat three games finish in draws.
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