KFUM Oslo (Home)
- KFUM Oslo have had a poor run of friendlies ahead of this fixture, conceding freely and showing inconsistent scoring.
- KFUM boss Johannes Moesgaard has a different challenge in setting up a 3-4-3 system that has the potential to be as fluid as Tromsø’s system.
- The key to their game will be the transitions and David Hickson and Simen Hestnes will have the main responsibility of getting the ball to cup talisman Johannes Nuñez as quickly as possible.
- The hosts have had a miserable run of pre-season results with defeats to Skeid, Kongsvinger and Vålerenga and a 7-2 mauling at Lillestrøm.
- The defensive leaks are a worry for Moesgaard, but the club has recruited well with the addition of ex-Molde playmaker Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who could be a game-changer if he is fit to start at the weekend.
Tromsø IL (Away)
- Tromsø IL are on the up again and have shown enough in pre-season friendlies to suggest they might be a force in the NM Cup 2026 this year.
- Tromsø, who finished near the top of the 2025 Eliteserien, will be out to avoid an upset in the fourth round of the competition, when they travel to KFUM Arena to take on the 2025 mid-table side on Saturday.
- Jørgen Vik has installed a system that is both structured and flexible at the same time, with a base of a compact 3-5-2 system and some aggressive wing-backs to give the team plenty of width.
- The only thing we have seen from Tromsø’s pre-season games so far is that they are still trying to work out the triggers for their pressing game and that they have some good set-piece routines installed.
- The 1-0 win over Mjällby in Sweden last week was a positive result, but the other friendlies suggest a team still a little short of full fitness and match practice.
Head-to-Head
- Tromsø IL are 3 - 2 up on KFUM Oslo in the head-to-head record since the middle of 2024.
- Tromsø’s 2025 Eliteserien points haul (around 55 points) saw them finish near the top of the table, while KFUM Oslo finished mid-table on around 40 points.
Key Players
- David Hickson and Simen Hestnes will have the main responsibility of getting the ball to cup talisman Johannes Nuñez as quickly as possible.
- Magnus Wolff Eikrem could be a game-changer for KFUM if he is fit to start at the weekend.
- Jørgen Vik’s use of a compact 3-5-2 and aggressive wing-backs gives Tromsø width and a different attacking outlet.
Betting Insights
- The odds are skewed heavily towards under 2.5 goals at 1.69, which seems very short, but the draw at 3.25 is much too big to pass up and KFUM at 2.97 are also worth a play given the odds on offer.
- We will just take the visitors to nick it at 2.36 as their squad depth is greater and they have a solid record against KFUM, although they may not get the result they want if the home side are fully motivated and at their best on the day.
Prediction
- Our selection is to back Tromsø to secure a narrow away win in what will almost certainly be a low-scoring, scrappy cup tie.
- With the visitors also holding a clear superiority in the Eliteserien, it is hard to see KFUM taking anything other than a defeat, but there is a big chance of an upset because home advantage matters more in cup competitions and the hosts will be desperate to get into the next round.
