With promotion at UEFA Nations Leaguethe highest level in play, Norway and Serbia face off in Oslo on Tuesday night, in a winner-takes-all encounter.

Locked on points atop League B Group 4, the two sides meet on the final day knowing that – due to their head-to-head record – any win other than a Serbian victory would see the hosts seal the first place.

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Despite their mistake in Slovenia at the weekend, Norway can still reach League A after Tuesday’s Group 4 final, having started the Premier League in Europe’s third tier in 2018.

Promoted at the end of the first edition, the Lions then finished second in their first appearance at League B level, and are now on the verge of mingling with the elite.

After recording an impressive record of three wins and one draw from their quartet of games this summer, Norway resumed with a trip to Ljubljana on Saturday, and Erling HaalandThe 21st international goal in just 22 caps put them on course for another success soon after the break.

However, their hosts fought back and the powerful pair’s strikes before Andraz Sporar and Benjamin Sesko – the latter currently following in Haaland’s footsteps at RB Salzburg – condemned the Norwegians to a 2-1 loss.

Combined with a win for Serbia over Norway’s Nordic rivals Sweden later in the day, this saw Stale Solbakkenthe team took 10 points from the Eagles in preparation for the World Cup; setting up a dramatic conclusion for the band at Ullevaal Stadion.

Unlike their visitors, Norway have failed to qualify for a major tournament since Euro 2000 – during Solbakken’s playing days – but with an exciting new era seemingly dawning – led by Haaland and his captain. Martin Odegaard – they will aim to continue their bullish trajectory on Tuesday.

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Resounding winners against Sweden on matchday five, Serbia’s only loss in the current Nations League campaign came at home to the Norwegians in June when they were finally beaten by a single strike from Haaland despite dominating both the ball and the number of shots.

Otherwise, the Eagles have continued to soar this year as they now follow an impressive qualification for Qatar 2022 with a productive run in Europe’s newest international competition.

Once again, the star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was front and center in Belgrade, with a hat-trick against the Swedes helping his country to a 4-1 aggregate win – and that after falling one goal behind early on.

Now just a goal away from his international half-century, the Fulham hotshot is part of an impressive cast of attacking players for Dragan Stojkovicfrom the side; worthy of the style in which the Serbian coach achieved such fame during his playing career. Moreover, they have now won eight of their last 12 games.

Having already racked up four points more than in their previous Nations League campaign when they only avoided relegation on goal difference, adding three more in Norway would put them in the top flight. mainland next time.

After finishing above Portugal to clinch automatic World Cup qualification in spectacular fashion – secured by Mitrovic’s 90th-minute winner on the final day – the Serbs also have their eyes on the looming world finals, so Stojkovic’s team will be keen to impress and secure seats on the plane. in Qatar.

Form of the Nations League of Norway:

Form of Norway (all competitions):

Form of the Nations League of Serbia:

Form of Serbia (all competitions):

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Having generally settled on a 4-3-3 setup in recent months, Norway coach Stale Solbakken must decide whether to stick or twist on the final day, with just one point enough to beat his opponents in first place.

In any case, the personnel who started the loss to Slovenia are unlikely to change too much, with Martin Odegaard captaining the side after overcoming a calf problem that kept him out of the final game. Arsenal. Erling Haaland leads the front line, having netted his sixth goal in five Nations League appearances on Saturday – Norway scored seven in all.

At least one change will be made in midfield, as Kristian Thorstvedt must serve a one-match ban due to accumulated bookings; Morten Thorsby is his most likely replacement.

While the hosts have a formidable striker to worry the Serbian defence, the visitors’ frontline will be led by vice-captain Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has scored 49 goals in 75 international appearances after his hat-trick at the weekend.

Influential midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will be sidelined, however, after receiving another yellow card against Sweden, which could see Sampdoria Philippe Djuricic Where Ivan Ilic of Verona drafted in the side that begins in Oslo.

Nikola Milenkovic is out of the bottom three due to injury, so the Serbian defense will be a little inexperienced – two of the three lined up on Saturday have just three senior caps between them.

It looks like Dragan Stojkovic has now opted for a regular goalkeeper, and Sergej’s younger brother Vanja Milinkovic-Savic should wow Sevilla Marko Dmitrovic to feature as the Eagles’ last line of defense.

Possible starting line-up from Norway:
Nyland; Ryerson, Hip-Olsen, Ostigard, Meling; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby; Elyounoussi, Haaland, Sorloth

Possible starting line-up from Serbia:
V. Milinkovic-Savic; Babic, S. Mitrovic, Masovic; Lazovic, Lukic, Ilic, Kostic; Djuricic, Tadic; A. Mitrovic

We say: Norway 1-2 Serbia

While Norway rely on one man to pull them to success, Serbia’s comprehensive attacking riches mean they can win even when their backs are against the wall. At the end of an entertaining shootout, it could be the visitors who progress to the Nations League top flight.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.

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