Norway captain Martin Odegaard eyes revenge against Wales in crucial Nations League clash to keep quarter-final dream alive in Oslo
Norway captain Martin Odegaard is targeting redemption against Wales on Saturday as the Scandinavian hosts fight to keep their slim Nations League quarter-final hopes alive. Sitting bottom of Group A4, Stale Solbakken's side must win in Oslo to avenge last month's defeat in Cardiff and remain in contention for the last eight.
October setback leaves hosts bottom
Odegaard is determined to settle the score after goals from Dan James and Neco Williams sealed a 2-1 victory for the Dragons at the Cardiff City Stadium in October. Despite reaching the World Cup quarter-finals this summer, the Scandinavians have suffered three defeats across their current Group A4 campaign. Those three consecutive losses match their total from their previous 23 outings combined, which featured 17 wins and three draws.
Skipper demands improved home display
Seeking to avoid losing four consecutive matches for the first time since October 2016, the Arsenal playmaker believes his team-mates are ready to bounce back in front of their own supporters.
Reflecting on last month's defeat in South Wales, Odegaard said: "Our level was not where it should be. I think it's probably the only game for a long time where we haven't been playing to our standards.
"Wales is a good team, a competitive team, lots of good players in big leagues and a physical team as well, and we were prepared for that.
"But I think on the day we were just not showing up to our standards, and that's something we want to show [on Saturday], and we can do a lot better. We want to show a different version."
Boss anticipates open tactical battle
With Craig Bellamy's visitors also requiring three points to preserve their own quarter-final ambitions, head coach Solbakken expects an end-to-end contest: "It's like a boxing [match], going head-to-head, fist-to-fist.
"I think Wales has always been a very attacking team under Bellamy. They've had great progress with the ball.
"I think it suits the team with the offensive players they have, the speed on the wings and Harry Wilson back. And [Lewis] Koumas getting more minutes for Liverpool, so I think that suits them.
"I'm not surprised that they will go all in, but it's our home game, so obviously I think they will also have their struggles with us. Let's see."
Leaky defence faces attacking threat
Tightening up at the back will be essential for Norway, as every one of their 12 matches since March's 0-0 draw with Switzerland has seen both teams score. That run represents their longest spell without a clean sheet since an 18-game streak between June 1980 and June 1982. Furthermore, conceding at least twice in five straight games is their worst defensive sequence since a six-match run in March 1976.
