Sandnes ULF vs Haugesund - Friendlies Clubs

The Friendlies Clubs returns to the home ground on March 30, 2026, where Sandnes ULF and Haugesund will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul on Wednesday as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

Both Sandnes ULF and Haugesund will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Friendlies Clubs. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. Haugesund will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. In his latest column, Paul Merson predicts the 2026/27 Premier League season at both ends of the table.

The tactical subplot is compelling: Sandnes ULF favour a possession-based game built on patience and control, while Haugesund are happiest sitting deep and exploding forward on the counter — a classic contrast of philosophies. Man Utd are pushing higher and working harder to press and counter-press the opposition, especially to win the ball back quickly after a loss of possession.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Former Chelsea defender William Gallas believes Cole Palmer will eventually move to Manchester United.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.