Start has the 14th place with 21 points so far, but it is only two points up to 13th placed Tromso, who currently has the vita safe-spot that all the bottom teams are dreaming of achieve. Absolutely nothing has been working out for them since mid-July with 0-2-10 to show for. It is almost unbelievable that they still have a chance of surviving with that kind of performances, but it is still possible. After being smashed by league leaders Rosenborg (0-4) three weeks ago, it was another result expected against rock bottom Sandefjord (4-1) in their last match. Instead of performing better, they did exactly what they have been doing all season. The personal mistakes in both the back-four and by keeper Haakon Opdal, made another terrible day at work for Start. Sandefjord got served on three of the four goals which clearly helped them getting the mental edge during the game. Sandefjord was not a lot better as they also made a personal mistake (own goal) that lead to Start’s only goal. However, Start must begin to straighten up at the back against the lowest teams, if they are going to deserve staying in Tippeligaen next season.
Start will at least not miss any of their players towards this big game, as long-term injured Jesper Mathisen (0/0) is the only player missing as he has been all season.
Mjondalen has done just the same as their opponents this season after being promoted from 1st Division last season. After a fantastic start to their campaign during the first games, it has slowly stabilized into a medium level, before a total collapse is the word to use these days. 1-2-10 is the facts since early in July, and it puts them on 15th place with 20 points and three points behind 13th placed Tromso. Their last match against Molde was a quite good performance for short periods of the game. However, it was two halves mostly defensing at their own half, as they were low and compact, and managed 0-0 at the break. The second half was the factor that separated the two teams more clearly. Molde went up 2-0, but Mjondalen managed to create some excitement by scoring a goal in the 79th minute. It was when Molde punctured the game in the 86th minute that Mjondalen gave up. They somehow manage to score against better teams, but that is also their problem when meeting lower teams. They have failed to improve in both matches against Sandefjord (1-1 and a 2-1 loss) this season. It has to be better against Start, but it is hard to turn the trend around when the goal difference shows 35:63 in 27 games so far.
Midfielder Henrik Gulden (4/0) will miss the rest of the season with mononucleosis, while defender Rhett Bernstein (19/5), winger Vamouti Diomande (3/0), defender Martin Strange (9/0) and midfielder Karanweer Grewal (6/0) are reported injured. Defender Joachim Olsen Solberg (25/1), reserve keeper Marco Priis Jorgensen (7 games) and winger Stian Aasmndsen (21/3) are reported healthy again, after having some different problems in the recent week.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 12 of Start’s last 15 games in Tippeligaen.
Start have conceded at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 12 matches in Tippeligaen.
This is the most important game during the whole season for both teams and it will naturally be a lot of nerves involved. Start has not a good goal difference either with 32:57 to show for. These two teams struggle bigtime defensively, they have the same form, similar amount of points and a similar situation with three games left of the season. With Start’s one point in advantage and just two points up to Tromso, they can live with a draw tonight if Tromso lose their match. However, they need to win another game later, which will be a lot more difficult. In will be game over for Mjondalen if they lose, as it is three points up to Tromso, who has a lot better goal difference compared to Mjondalen. The match will not care about who plays the better football, but who scores the first goal. This will be a match were the first goal will open up the whole game, as the other team will have to respond. Looking at Start’s home games, it shows 10/3 when we look at the over/under 2.5 goals ratio, while Mjondalen has an 8/5 ratio away this season in terms of over/under 2.5 goals. I expect another nerve-wracking match for the supporters as the match will wave back and forth at Sør Arena this evening. At least over 2.5 goals should be a possible scenario in the match of the year for the teams involved.
Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @1.70
