- Brann are unbeaten in 5 games, winning 4 and drawing 1.
- Sarpsborg 08 are unbeaten in 3 away games, winning 2 and drawing 1, conceding just 1 goal in 3 games on the road.
- Brann have averaged 1.7 goals per game against Sarpsborg 08 at home over the last 5 head-to-heads, who have averaged 2.0 goals per game away.
Brann are currently 2nd in the Eliteserien 2025 table with 16 points from 7 games, while Sarpsborg 08 are 6th with 11 points from 6 games, so both teams will be looking to add another 3 points to their tally in this Friday’s tactical duel in Bergen. Freyr Alexandersson has made Brann a free-flowing, attacking team since taking over in January 2025. His 4-3-3 system is a high-pressing, high-tempo system that uses the width of the pitch to its full advantage. Sivert Heltne Nilsen is the playmaker and captain of the team, the creative force behind the side’s attacking play and the metronome that sets the tempo in midfield. Bard Finne is a direct, pacy forward who is a real threat to the defense when he receives the ball and can break the lines with his pace and directness. Brann are the favorites at -149, the draw is +200 and Sarpsborg 08 are the outsiders at +300.
Christian Michelsen has made Sarpsborg 08 a solid, pragmatic side since taking over in June 2024. They are more than capable of sitting back in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 and shutting the game down, relying on their defensive discipline and ability to hit teams on the counter to win games. Anton Salétros is a skilled midfielder who is the engine of the team, linking the defense and attack, and creating space for the forwards to run into. Daniel Seland Karlsbakk is a key player for Sarpsborg 08, having scored 3 of their 9 goals in the last 5 games, he is the focal point of their attack.
Brann have been in much better form than Sarpsborg 08 recently, winning 4 and drawing 1 of their last 5 games, including a 3-2 win over Bryne and a 4-2 win over Vaalerenga. Sarpsborg 08 have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 games. The last 5 head-to-heads in all competitions have seen Sarpsborg 08 win twice, Brann win once and 2 draws. The last meeting in Eliteserien 2024 finished 1-1 at Sarpsborg 08’s home ground.
