Norway don dey six points clear for top of the table, and dem go fit move closer to book their World Cup 2026 ticket when dem face Israel for home on Saturday.
With perfect record for Group I so far, the Norwegians don dey near qualification for their first World Cup this century.
Match Preview
Norway never qualify for World Cup since 1998, and their last major tournament appearance na Euro 2000 — but that drought fit end soon.
This new generation of Norwegian players dey on fire, led by Erling Haaland wey don already score 48 goals in just 45 international matches. The team dey look unstoppable as dem chase World Cup qualification.
Stale Solbakken and him boys don start Group I campaign with two massive wins wey bring nine goals. Then dem shock top seed Italy 3-0 for home, cementing their position as group favourites.
After narrow win over Estonia, Norway brutally hammer Moldova 11-0, with Haaland scoring five and substitute Thelo Aasgaard bagging hat-trick.
With better goal difference and 6 points ahead of Italy and Israel (even though Italy get one match in hand), Norway dey almost sure of automatic qualification. After the Israel match, dem go play New Zealand for friendly before facing Estonia and Italy next month — and that Italy game fit turn to final decider.
Israel on the other hand still dey the race for playoff spot. The team dey third for Group I but their dramatic collapse against Italy for September still pain fans. Israel twice lead for that chaotic match, think say e go end 4-4 after dem score two late goals, but Sandro Tonali score stoppage-time winner wey spoil their joy.
Now, Ran Ben Shimon and him men dey behind Italy on goal difference and don even play one match more. Any small mistake this month fit end their World Cup hope.
Israel last appear for World Cup na 1970, and dem need serious miracle to break that curse. After dem lose 4-2 for home leg against Norway — with Haaland again scoring the fourth goal — dem go need serious performance to shock everybody for Oslo.
Form Guide
Norway World Cup Qualifying (Europe): W W W W W
Norway All Competitions: W W W W W W
Israel World Cup Qualifying (Europe): W L W W L
Israel All Competitions: W L W W W L
Team News
Bad news don hit Norway as captain Martin Ødegaard go miss both international matches this month because of knee injury.
Another blow na defender Leo Østigård from Genoa wey break rib last weekend. But the good news be say Jørgen Strand Larsen don return from injury and fit join the attacking trio if Solbakken decide to use am.
For the frontline, Haaland and Alexander Sørloth go likely lead the attack again, supported by either Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, or Andreas Schjelderup, depending on whether the coach stick with 4-3-3 setup.
Israel on their side fit start with Tai Baribo or Dor Turgeman as striker — the same Turgeman wey score late consolation for first leg. Tottenham winger Manor Solomon (currently on loan at Villarreal) and Ajax forward Oscar Gloukh go likely support attack from the wings.
Possible Lineups
Norway Possible XI:
Nyland; Ryerson, Heggem, Ajer, Bjorkan; Berg, Berge, Aasgaard; Sorloth, Haaland, Schjelderup
Israel Possible XI:
Da. Peretz; Dasa, Lemkin, Nachmias, Revivo; Do. Peretz, E. Peretz; Biton, Gloukh, Solomon; Baribo
Prediction
We say: Norway 3-1 Israel
Even though plenty political tension dey between both nations, Norway still get upper hand. With their current form and goal power, dem go likely collect another win — their sixth straight — as dem move closer to sealing World Cup 2026 qualification. Even without Ødegaard, this Norway team too strong, and e go take something special from Israel to stop dem.
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