5. Sandefjord (16)
v Start (11)
Easy task for Start
TEAM
NEWS
Sandefjord welcome back striker Malick
Mane from suspension. Midfielder Marciano faces a late fitness test.
Start defenders Branislav
Milecivic and veteran Bard Borgersen
are long time injuries.
Winger Espen Borufsen is out suspended. Defender Hunter Freeman returns
from suspension.
Sandefjord
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Marciano (toe)
Injured/unavailable: None
Start
Suspended: Borufsen (1 match)
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Nilssen (license), Milecivic (thigh), Borgersen
(ligaments)
There are hardly any signs in direction of Sandefjord surviving in the top division, with their 13-game winless run.
The only player impressing in
the team is the goalie Espen Bugge
Pettersen.
As often before, Bugge Pettersen was as busy as he was clever when Sandefjord only lost 0-1 to Rosenborg
with four minutes left last Saturday. It is too early to give up with as
much as 15 matches left, but the rock bottom side certainly looks demoralized.
Sandefjord were trashed by Rosenborg
1-4 in the Norwegian Cup midweek, and were consequently eliminated.
Start have 2W-1D-6L their last nine matches. The
two victories against fellow strugglers Honefoss and Kongsvinger are not very impressive. Last round they
deserved the 2-4 loss away to Haugesund. They have lost all their five latest
road games.
The only good news was their
1-0 win over Fredrikstad, advancing into the top 8 in
the Norwegian Cup midweek.
This very same Start side played some fantastic
football last season, and might find back to winning days when they face the
weakest team in the league. Away win.
HEAD
TO HEAD
The teams met for the first time in 2001. Start have 10 wins, Sandefjord 4,
and only 2 matches have been tied.