After finishing seventh in the previous two Eliteserien seasons, Stromsgodset have struggled to find their footing in the 2025 campaign, earning only six points from their first eight matches (W2, L6).

Stromsgodset rebounded from their NM Cupen second-round defeat to second-tier team Mjondalen with a hard-fought 3-2 away victory against Sarpsborg 08 on April 27, but they have since lost their last three league games.

These setbacks included consecutive home defeats to Kristiansund (2-1) and Bryne (2-0), followed by a 3-2 away loss to Sandefjord. Second-half goals from Herman Stengel and Jonas Therkelsen made for a tense finish, but the comeback fell short.

Jorgen Isnes's team currently sits in the relegation playoff spot (14th), though a win on Saturday would lift them one position and one point ahead of HamKam, who have also faced a tough start to the season.

Only the bottom-two teams, Haugesund (four goals) and KFUM (six goals), have scored fewer in the Eliteserien than HamKam (seven goals) this season, as Jakob Michelsen's squad has gathered eight points from eight matches.

HamKam, known as the Green-Pants, exited the NM Cupen in the fourth round via a penalty-shootout loss to second-division Aalesund, but they bounced back with a crucial 2-1 home win over Molde, where Snorre Nilsen's goal seven minutes after halftime sealed the victory.

HamKam have yet to demonstrate consistent form to avoid another relegation battle, having narrowly survived in 2024 by goal difference alone.

Michelsen's team will be confident heading into Saturday's match, as they remain unbeaten in their last four league visits to Stromsgodset (W2, D2), including a dramatic 1-1 draw in September last year, where Nilsen equalized in the 88th minute.

For Stromsgodset, forwards Elias Melkersen and Eirik Ulland Andersen are still out with long-term knee injuries, while Jostein Ekeland has been sidelined since March due to an unspecified injury.

The hosts will depend on the in-form Marko Farji to lead the attack; the Iraq international has shone brightly this season, contributing to 10 goals (seven goals, three assists) across all competitions in 10 appearances.

As for HamKam, Halvor Rodolen Opsahl is out with a knee injury, joined by Moses Mawa, who may miss the rest of the season due to his own knee problem.

Markus Johnsgard has been absent for the last three league games due to an unspecified issue, so Gard Simenstad, Tore Andre Soras, and Alwande Roaldsoy could continue in central midfield, with Julian Bakkeli Gonstad possibly partnering Kristian Stromland Lien upfront.

Stromsgodset possible starting lineup:

Bratveit; Vilsvik, Dahl, Valsvik, Tomasson; Stengel, Krasniqi, Therkelsen; Mehnert, Moller, Farji

HamKam possible starting lineup:

Sandberg; Bjanarson, Granath, Mares; Nilsen, Soras, Simenstad, Roaldsoy, Ekeroth; Gonstad, Lien