Ulfstind vs Tromso - NM Cupen

When Ulfstind and Tromso clash at the home ground on August 22, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a NM Cupen fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the NM Cupen contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. Ulfstind's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. Tromso will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Arsenal also saw the importance of having good depth at right-back when Mosquera was forced to start the Champions League final with PSG out of position - which then resulted in the young Spaniard conceding a penalty.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Ulfstind will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Tromso must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Hjulmand has time to set himself and with Heaton beaten, the midfielder's shot crashes off the post and away.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 1-1. With positions in the NM Cupen table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be one of those, who would likely be a cheaper alternative to Hall, who has just enjoyed a breakout season with the Magpies.