All the tickets have been snapped up.

This evening, 28,000 exuberant fans will throng the stands of the compact Ullevaal Stadium for the Norway-Malta qualifier as victory over the Group H minnows could seal the hosts’ passage to next year’s European Championship finals.

Malta coach Pietro Ghedin is mindful of the scale of the task awaiting his team but he is convinced that his players are now better prepared to cope with the challenge.

“Norway are going to play for the Euro finals,” Ghedin told reporters yesterday.

“They have a big chance to qualify. I’ve been told that the stadium will be full and that makes it harder for us.”

The stakes are indeed high for Norway who are vying to end a 16-year wait to qualify for a major tournament. They are second on 16 points, two behind group leaders Italy and two ahead of Croatia who must beat Bulgaria today to keep their hopes alive.

A year ago to the day, Malta headed into their home meeting with Norway brimming with optimism but their adventurous approach backfired as they conceded three goals from counter-attacks with Bournemouth striker Joshua King netting a brace.

A repeat of that scenario is unlikely today as the national team will adopt a more prudent approach in a game where Norway are expected to dictate the tempo from the outset.

“Norway have changed their style,” Ghedin said.

“We played badly in the home game... Norway deserved to win but the result was harsh on us.

“I have watched many Norway games. They are playing better now and have really got a great possibility to go through.

“We have a big job to do.”

Malta traditionally find it hard to cope with the direct style of football that is synonymous with Nordic teams.

The 3-0 home loss to Norway aside, two years ago Malta were on the receiving end of a 6-0 hiding to Denmark in their final 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Ghedin grimaced when the drubbing in Copenhagen was mentioned but stressed that Malta are more compact in defence with five at the back.

“We changed our system after the Denmark game,” Ghedin said.

“We now play in a different way. In some games, we have adjusted our tactics but we’re defending better.

“It’s a safer approach but we also try to push forward when we have possession.”

While the focus of the Norwegian media is on their team’s bid to reach the Euro 2016 finals, Malta captain Michael Mifsud has quite a reputation here after his positive spell with Lillestrom earlier in his career.

A Norwegian journalist quizzed Ghedin about Mifsud’s role in today’s game but the Italian gave nothing away.

“I have 23 players,” Ghedin said.

“I have yet to write down my starting 11. Michael Mifsud is a big champion for us.”

Although Malta have only two points from eight games, the impression, even among foreign journalists, is that our national team have improved significantly.

This also stems from our defensive record in Group H as Ghedin’s team conceded 13 goals, the same as Azerbaijan.

“It also depends on the opponents and the mistakes we commit,” Ghedin added.

“We are still a small team but we try to do our best. Sometimes we manage to achieve a result but it’s not always like that.”

Ghedin will almost certainly revert to five at the back today.

With Birkirkara midfielder Paul Fenech available after serving a one-match ban, the Italian coach may well plump for the same tactics and personnel as in the Italy qualifier last month.

There are still a couple of question marks, especially up front, as Ghedin is unlikely to field two strikers. Alfred Effiong and Mifsud are the two obvious candidates for the lone striker’s role but, judging by his recent performances, Effiong looks to have edged ahead of Mifsud in Ghedin’s thinking.

Andrew Hogg is set to retain the no.1 shirt with the experienced Andrei Agius and Steve Borg likely to flank Zach Muscat in central defence.

On the flanks, Ghedin is expected to stick with Hibernians wing-back Clayton Failla and Sliema captain Alex Muscat although Joseph Zerafa is also pushing hard for a first-team spot.

Roderick Briffa and Birkirkara duo Rowen Muscat and Fenech will take up the three midfield slots with Omonia Nicosia striker Andrè Schembri playing off the striker.

Ghedin is happy with the form and physical condition of his players going into today’s game.

“I can say that we have a group of players who are really in good shape,” he said.

“As we speak, I’m very happy with the form expressed by my squad but tomorrow is another day.”

Previous Encounters

Friendlies
05-11-1961: Malta-Norway - 1-1
03-07-1962: Norway-Malta - 5-0
07-02-1990: Malta-Norway - 1-1
09-02-2005: Malta-Norway - 0-3

European Championship
14-12-1994: Malta-Norway - 0-1
07-06-1995: Norway-Malta - 2-0
02-06-2007: Norway-Malta - 4-0
21-11-2007: Malta-Norway - 1-4
10-10-2014: Malta-Norway - 0-3

Malta line-up (probable)
A. Hogg, A. Muscat, A. Agius, P. Fenech, C. Failla, R. Briffa, R. Muscat, A. Schembri, S. Borg, A. Effiong/M. Mifsud, Z. Muscat/R. Camilleri.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Northern Ireland FA).

Kick-off: 18.00.