Norway fancy their chances ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against injury-hit Turkey knowing a victory would secure a place in the finals.
Norway, having won four out of their last five qualifiers with tireless, aggressive performances, would also guarantee a berth with a draw followed by a win in Malta next week.
Turkey trail Norway by two points in Group C, which is led by already-qualified European Champions Greece, and know defeat in Oslo would end their qualifying hopes.
Norway will rely on towering striker John Carew and players from in-form Champions League side Rosenborg after captain and midfielder Martin Andresen was ruled out by a knee injury.
Steffen Iversen, who scored twice for Rosenborg against Valencia this month, is set to start up front with Carew. Both players have scored four goals in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Ghana-born Alexander Tettey is expected to get his second cap in place of Andersen and possibly share the midfield with Rosenborg team mate Per Ciljan Skjelbred.
Norway often succeed by controlling midfield with swarming, aggressive play, and capitalise on the occasional through ball.
"We are very difficult to beat, we work very hard and play wise football," defender John Arne Riise said. "Other teams may be more technical but we work harder."
Turkey coach Fatih Terim will have to cope without key midfielder Yildiray Basturk, who has a groin strain, and is likely to turn to some untried players.
"We have played a lot of matches like this and come through. I trust and believe in my players," Terim said.
Turkey defender Deniz Baris is having treatment for back pains while striker Serhat Akin is suffering from flu.
From the five uncapped players in his squad, Terim is likely to start with defenders Gokhan Gonul and Hayrettin Yerlikaya, while Semih Senturk is expected to play up front.
"The Norway game can be described as a do-or-die match," Senturk told reporters. "We have more quality than Norway and if we go on to the pitch believing in ourselves we can win."
Turkey drew 2-2 at home to Norway in March after visiting goalkeeper Thomas Myhre, since dropped from the team, let a free kick run through his legs to give the Turks a late equaliser.
Probable teams:Norway: Haakon Opdal, Jarl-Andre Storbaek, Erik Hagen, Brede Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Bjoern Helge Riise, Alexander Tettey, Christian Grindheim, Steffen Iversen, John Carew, Morten Gamst Pedersen
Turkey: Volkan Demirel, Gokhan Gonul, Servet Cetin, Emre Asik, Hayrettin Yerlikaya, Tuncay Sanli, Emre Belozoglu, Mehmet Aurelio, Hamit Altintop, Nihat Kahveci, Semih SenturkReferee: Markus Merk (Germany) (Additional reporting by Ole Petter Skonnord and Richard Solem; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Source:Reuters
