Wales have recalled several Premier League stars from injury ahead of their Nations League clash with Norway at Ullevaal Stadium on Saturday 14 November. Norway sit bottom of League A Group 1 with just three points from four matches and need a result to avoid a direct relegation battle.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy has named a 26-player squad for the final two group games against Norway and Portugal. Key figures who were absent for Wales's surprise 2-1 win over Norway in Cardiff last month have returned. The list includes the Leeds United duo of Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon, as well as Manchester United goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Bournemouth attacker David Brooks and Oxford United's Mark Harris are also included.
For Norway, the pressure is on. Following their win over Denmark in September, the team has lost three matches in a row, including a 2-1 defeat to Portugal last week. They are last in the group, behind Wales on head-to-head record despite being level on points. Portugal lead the group with twelve points, with Denmark on six.
The primary objective for Ståle Solbakken's side is to avoid finishing last. The top two teams in the group progress to the quarter-finals, while third place enters a relegation play-off. The bottom side is relegated directly to League B. Norway also face a key match against Denmark in Copenhagen after the Wales game. The group winner advances to the Nations League finals in June 2027.
Norway's recent form shows a difficult pattern: loss to Portugal, loss to Wales, loss to Portugal, and victory over Denmark. In the most recent defeat to Portugal, Kristoffer Ajer scored from a Martin Ødegaard assist, but Portugal turned the game around. The match against Wales last month also saw a comeback after Oscar Bobb gave Norway an early lead.
Wales arrive with a squad featuring five Leeds United players, including Ethan Ampadu and Dan James. They come off a 1-0 loss to Portugal in Lisbon in their opener but secured their first-ever League A victory by beating Norway.
The match at Ullevaal on Saturday 14 November at 6 PM local time is critical. After that, a game against Denmark awaits, and Norway will also be a top seed for the upcoming European Championship qualification draw. Solbakken has acknowledged his team's poor first half against Wales and is under increased scrutiny following the recent results. The team's top scorer this season, Erling Haaland, has seven goals in five appearances.
Norway must rediscover a winning formula to reverse the trend and secure vital points at home against a strengthened Wales side.
The original report is at Radio Haugaland
