Start welcome Brann to Sparebanken Sør Arena knowing that every remaining point could prove decisive in their fight for survival. The hosts sit bottom of the Eliteserien table, while Brann remain in contention for the European places. Their situations are different, but both teams need a response after losing their previous league match.

Start are running out of time

Start have lost 12 of their 19 league matches and remain at the bottom of the table with only 13 points.

There was finally some encouragement when they beat KFUM 4–1 at home, producing their best attacking performance of the season. They failed to build on that result, however, losing 2–0 against Aalesund in their following match.

Start have now lost six of their previous eight league games. Their defence remains the biggest concern, with the hosts conceding in eight consecutive matches and keeping only one clean sheet across nine home fixtures.

The victory against KFUM still showed what Start can produce when they attack with confidence. A cautious draw will do little for their position, and they should approach this match looking for another important home victory.

John Olav Norheim and Kristoffer Tønnessen are unavailable through injury, while Deni Dashaev is suspended.

Brann’s away matches produce goals

Brann enter the match after collecting only one point from their previous two league games. They drew 0–0 away against Sandefjord before losing 2–1 at home to Lillestrøm.

Their recent results have been inconsistent, but Brann remain dangerous going forward. They average 2.11 goals per away match and have scored in eight of their nine games on the road.

Those attacking numbers have not always produced victories. Brann have won only three of nine away matches, largely because they have also struggled defensively. Seven of those nine matches have seen both teams score, while Brann have kept only two away clean sheets.

Their away games produce 3.67 goals on average, with over 2.5 goals landing in seven of nine.

Brann are also missing several players. Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Sondre Tronstad, Jonas Torsvik, Nana Boakye, Eggert Guðmundsson and Sakarias Opsahl are injured, while Noah Holm is suspended.

Start caused problems in the first meeting

The teams met at Brann Stadion in July, and Start came close to taking points from the match.

After a goalless first half, Håkon Lorentzen gave Start the lead. Brann responded through Noah Holm before Kristian Eriksen completed the comeback with a 90th-minute winner.

The 2–1 result gave Brann all three points, but Start showed that they could create problems and find a way through the Brann defence.

The return match could follow a similar pattern. Start cannot afford to spend the entire afternoon defending, while Brann have the attacking quality to punish them if the game becomes stretched.

Verdict

Brann should create chances against a Start defence that has conceded in eight consecutive matches. The visitors score more than two goals per away game, but their lack of clean sheets makes a straight Brann victory difficult to trust.

Start’s inconsistent attack creates some risk, as they have failed to score in three of their last four league matches. Their 4–1 victory over KFUM showed that they can still be dangerous at home, particularly when forced to chase three points.

Brann’s away numbers point towards another open match. Both teams have scored in seven of their nine away fixtures, while the same number have produced at least three goals.

Another 2–1 result is possible, while 1–2, 2–2 and 1–3 would also fit the pattern. We expect chances at both ends and at least three goals.

Tip

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals