Norway vs New Zealand Preview Prediction Team News and Lineups
Norway is set to clash with New Zealand in an international friendly on Tuesday evening in Oslo. Norway’s national football team, known as Landslaget, has demonstrated remarkable form, scoring 16 goals in their last two matches. Meanwhile, New Zealand, also known as the All Whites, aims to break their four-match losing streak.
Match Preview: Norway vs New Zealand
Norway is currently one of the top-performing teams in international football. They have achieved nine consecutive victories across all competitions, including victories over notable teams such as Italy (3-0) and Israel (5-0). Their formidable run has positioned them well in the World Cup qualifying phase. Norway has won all six qualifying matches, netting 29 goals and only conceding three.
New Zealand, contrastingly, has already secured a spot in the upcoming World Cup, benefiting from a new direct qualification slot awarded to the Oceania Football Confederation. They dominated their initial group matches, winning all three and scoring 19 goals, the bulk of which came against Vanuatu and Samoa. However, they have faced recent challenges, suffering four consecutive losses against stronger teams.
Recent Performances
- Norway: 9 wins in a row, with significant victories.
- New Zealand: 4-match losing streak against top-tier opponents.
Team News
Norway will be missing several key players for this friendly. Alexander Sørloth, Julian Ryerson, Erling Haaland, and Fredrik Bjorkan have been rested. Additionally, Felix Myhre has been pulled from the squad due to an ankle injury, while Martin Ødegaard and Leo Østigard are unavailable due to earlier injuries. To bolster their ranks, Norway has called up Sebastian Sebulonsen and Sverre Nypan.
New Zealand also faces challenges with player absences. Injuries have sidelined Elijah Just and Dalton Wilkins, while Chris Wood, the all-time leading scorer for the All Whites, remains a key player for the team.
Predicted Lineups
| Norway | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Nylad | Paulsen |
| Wolfe | De Vries |
| Lysaker Heggem | Boxall |
| Ajer | Surman |
| Sebulonsen | Payne |
| Berg | Stamenic |
| Berge | Thomas |
| Bobb | Garbett |
| Nusa | Singh |
| Larsen | McCowatt |
| Heggebo | Wood |
Prediction
Considering Norway’s recent excellent form and the absence of some key players for both teams, a close match is expected. However, Norway seems more likely to win this friendly, with a predicted score of 2-1 in their favor.
This match presents an opportunity for both sides to refine their strategies before the World Cup, with Norway eager to maintain their momentum and New Zealand hoping to regain their performance level.
