Preview: Kristiansund vs. SK Brann - prediction, team news, lineups

European contenders Kristiansund welcome bottom club SK Brann to the Kristiansund Stadion on Monday, seeking to get back on track following three games without a win.

Their struggling visitors, meanwhile, have tasted Eliteserien victory just once so far this season.

Match preview

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Having finished either fifth or sixth for the past three years, upwardly mobile Kristiansund have made a bright start in their attempt to breach the top four for the first time since promotion to the elite in 2017.

While the Owls have thrived after making it to the highest tier of Norwegian football for the first time in their brief history - they were formed from a merger just 18 years ago - they are now pressing to reach even greater heights.

Before last week's 1-1 draw with Mjondalen, the Eliteserien's fourth-placed side had won their three previous home matches in the top flight; keeping a clean sheet on each occasion.

Christian Michelsen's men were also held to a goalless stalemate at Tromso on Wednesday though, so have now gone winless for three consecutive matches and have fallen off the pace set by the division's leading pair, Molde and Bodo/Glimt - though still hold games in hand on both.

Their relative success this term has been based upon a steadfast defence, as the club from Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's home town have conceded only nine goals - though they have bagged just eight themselves.

On Monday, Kristiansund will meet counterparts who have posted a polar opposite defensive record so far, as Brann have leaked goals at a rate of two per game so far.

Following a horrendous start, however, the Bergen-based outfit have somewhat steadied the ship, with only two losses in their last five league outings.

Only a late equaliser from Lillestrom's Thomas Lehne Olsen denied Kare Ingebrigtsen's side all three points in the midweek round, as they drew 1-1 at the Brann Stadion.

Ivorian striker Daouda Bamba has led the way in front of goal so far, with his opener against Lillestrom being his third strike of the campaign, and he now returns to his former club Kristiansund - where he scored 43 times in 105 appearances - looking to boost that modest tally.

Though previously a success when in charge of Rosenborg for a four-year spell from 2014, Bamba's current manager has seen his personal win rate drop dramatically during failed ventures at Belgium's Oostende and Cypriot side APOEL in recent years.

Ingebrigtsen's tenure at Brann has yet to bear fruit either, so he will hope that his top scorer can start an upturn in fortunes by getting the better of Kristiansund's well-drilled back four on Monday.

Team News

Kristiansund have no major injury concerns heading into this home fixture, so coach Christian Michelsen is likely to retain most of the XI which drew at Tromso on Wednesday.

His attack did not manage a single shot on target, however, so Kosovar forward Flamur Kastrati may find his place in jeopardy, particularly with young Icelandic striker Brynjolfur Willumsson pressing his claims for a start.

As ever, Arsenal academy graduate Sean McDermott will line up as the home side's last line of defence, having conceded only nine times this season.

Meanwhile, the visitors' Lars Gerson remains out of action with a thigh injury, so will have to wait before making his league bow after moving from Racing Santander. Therefore, Ole Martin Koskogen and Kristoffer Barmen are expected to continue at the heart of the back four, though veteran defender Vegard Forren is another option for Brann coach Kare Ingebrigtsen.

Up front, Ingebrigtsen must choose between Finland international Robert Taylor - recently returned from the Euros - and Daouda Bamba, who scored as a substitute last time out.

Kristiansund possible starting lineup:
McDermott; Nilsen, Hopmark, D. Ulvestad, Askar; Diop, P. Ulvestad, Kartum; Gjertsen, Kastrati, Moumbagna

SK Brann possible starting lineup:
Johansen; Strand, Kolskogen, Barmen, Kristiansen; Skaanes, Pedersen, Rasmussen; Simba, Taylor, Delaveris

We say: Kristiansund 1-0 SK Brann

The hosts have built their season upon solidity, so should be expected to keep a second straight clean sheet on Monday.

Kristiansund also face the necessity of regaining ground recently lost on the clubs above them, so can capitalise on Brann's current misery with a narrow win on home soil.