After finishing second in Group I, Norway held their nerve to seal knockout stage wins over the Ivory Coast and Brazil, to set up a first-ever World Cup quarterfinal against England in Miami.
Erling Haaland’s seven goals have been vital to Norway’s run and Solkbkken has made limited changes to his starting line up so far in North America.
The same XI started their opening two group games – in wins over Iraq and Senegal – before he rotated most of his team for the group finale loss to France with knockout qualification already assured.
Ahead of the clash with England, reports in Norway indicate Solbakken will only make one alteration, after performing one swap in between the Round of 32 and last 16 wins.
Andreas Schjelderup is set to be handed a start over Antonio Nusa after he assisted both of Haaland’s goals in the 2-1 win over Brazil.
The Benfica midfielder has been used primarily as an impact substitute so far, with only one start in the 4-1 loss to France, where he laid on an assist for Thelo Aasgaard.
He came on for around 20 minutes in the three games either side of that clash, but Solbakken gave him a full second half against the Samba Boys in place of Nusa, and that looks to have tipped the balance in his favour.
Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth will continue in a repurposed right-wing role on Haaland’s opposite flank.