Rosenborg sit top of the Eliteserien table, with 35 points from 17 games played and enjoyed a good 3-0 victory at Sogndal on Saturday. It appears the league title is for them to lose again this season but a group of clubs below them are hoping to capitalise on any mistakes they make.
One of those teams is Valerenga, who started the season slowly but have since worked their way up the table to start the weekend in 7th place. A win over Kristiansund could move them up to 5th in the table, 10 points behind Rosenborg with a game in hand.
As for their opponents, Kristiansund need a win to move away from the two automatic relegation places at the bottom the table. A victory could push them as high as 11th this week.
Kristiansund Form
Kristiansund have won only 1 of their last 6 Eliteserien games, so it comes as no surprise to see them occupying the relegation playoff position towards the foot of the table.
However, a closer look at their form reveals they have lost 2 of their last 7 Eliteserien games, which is a decent record, the problem has been winning games as opposed to simply avoiding defeat. This is highlighted when looking at their home form and Kristiansund are unbeaten in their last 7 home games but have won only 1 of their last 5.
Kristiansund have drawn their last 3 home matches.
Valerenga Form
Valerenga will look back at the start of their campaign with regret, having lost 4 of their first 6 league games.
However, they come into this match with just 1 defeat from their last 9 Eliteserien games and if they had started the season in the same kind of form, could have found themselves competing higher up the league.
Valerenga have won 2 and drawn 3 of their last 5 Eliteserien games, with their last defeat coming back in May against Sarpsborg. They have lost 1 of their last 3 away matches, drawing 1 and winning the other, which was a 4-2 victory at Tromso.
Team News
Kristiansund have only one injury concern and Erlend Sivertsen will miss the game with a long-term injury. Kristiansund are expected to play a 4-4-2 formation, with Benjamin Stokke and Jean Mendy in attack.
Valerenga have fitness doubts over Simen Juklerod, Mohamed Keita and Henrik Kjelsrud Johansen. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mohammed Abdellaoue is expected to lead the line with support from Bard Finne, Ghayas Zahid and Daniel Holm.
Top Betting Tips
Kristiansund have scored at least 1 goal in each of their last 7 home league games but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 5, making both teams to score a good bet at 7/10 with Ladbrokes.
Having drawn their last 3 home matches, Kristiansund are difficult to beat on home soil but struggle to win matches. Having endured a terrible first 45 minutes against Stromgodset last weekend, it is difficult to imagine them going all out for the win. A draw and both teams to score is 16/5 at Ladbrokes.
Jean Mendy has scored 7 goals in his last 8 games and the Senegal born striker will be aiming to add to his total in this match. Mendy is 12/5 to score at any time with Ladbrokes.