1. Aalesund (4) v Molde (13)

Close race between local rivals

TEAM NEWS

Aalesund welcome back defender Daniel Arnefjord from suspension.

Important defenders Jonathan Parr and skipper Amund Skiri did not make the Tromso match last Sunday and are considered doubtful ahead of this match.

Molde have important midfielder Magne Hoseth back from suspension, but will have to manage without Baye Djiby Fall this match. The club’s leading scorer with 8 goals in 14 appearances has received three yellow cards and will miss out suspended.

Pate Diouf was back in contention for Molde last match, but did not impress.

Aalesund
Suspended: None
Doubtful:  Parr (thigh), Skiri (rib injury)
Injured/unavailable: None

Molde
Suspended: Johansson (1 match), Fall (1 match)
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

Aalesund are back on track fighting for a surprisingly strong place among the top three. Even though coach Kjetil Rekdal is considered as the main reason for Aalesund’s impressing campaign, he still got in a big fight with the club chairman Torill Hole Standal recently.

Rekdal is complaining he is not given the resources to keep fighting for trophies, while the chairman hit back saying Rekdal should stop being so harsh with his surroundings and spread optimism instead.

Neither Molde boss Kjell Jonevret was a happy man after last round. He blamed the referee for not getting anything out of the match away to Stabaek, where his team lost by three goals to four.

Molde actually do look stronger than today’s opponent player by player. But they lack the mentality and luck necessary to deal with Aalesund away, and will certainly miss Djiby Fall’s goal scoring ability.

They are 3D-5L in the 8 rounds on the road, as one of the four sides which have been winless away.

Aalesund will be favorites in a match hard to predict.

HEAD TO HEAD

Since Aalesund entered the top flight and won their first match with Molde in 2003, the stats show 4 draws and 4 Molde victories (including the 2-1 earlier this season). But Aalesund did beat Molde in last year’s final in the Norwegian cup through penalty shoot out, after 2-2 after extra time.