FK Haugesund - IK Start

Norway - Tippeligaen

Kick-off:               19/Jun            16:00 CET

Pick:                     FK Haugesund (-0,5)

Odds:                   1,90 @ 188Bet or Pinnacle

Stake:                   6/10


Result:                  1-0     Profit:   +5,40

Haugesund promoted to Tippeligaen last year and finished on the 6th spot with strong home results, they became a stable mid team. They have stronger squad than last year because signed a lot of useful players: Kråkmo (right back, Ranheim IL), Nordberg (central defender, Ranheim IL), Bamberg (mid/def, wing, IFK Norrköping), Bangura (central midfielder, Hønefoss BK) and Søderlund (forward, Vard Haugesund). These guys were regular players at their previous teams and perform well at Haugesund, too. It may be good if some guys are injured, they have decent replacements. Their main strength is the attack, two excellent forward Sørum and Djurdjic with the support of Sørensen and Søderlund. And thank goodness Kristiansen is a reliable goalkeeper, who has not easy task behind the quite shaky defence. They had two periods this year. They were in bad form during the first six rounds and could win only a single game against newcomers Sarpsborg. Thereafter they beat champions Rosenborg at Lerkendal Stadion with great football. Then came a draw with another giant Vålerenga, two victories over Molde (5-0) and Viking (2-0) despite the serious injury situation. They were defeated against Sogndal (1-3) last round but that was not so easy game, Sogndal was fresher after could rest six days while Haugesund played three days before that meeting and the result was a bit excessive in my opinion. For this game coach Jostein Grindhaug will be without a lot of guys but they have long term injury, the starting eleven will be similar. Key attacking players Søderlund and Djurdjic were reported as doubtful but as I know Djurdjic is ready for game and probably Søderlund also. If not, they have some reservist who can surprise the opponent.

IK Start is different than last year and we heard negative things about them, some disagree within the team, Tørum can not motivate his guys, salaries will drop, and so on. They are palaying also attacking football with an excellent attacking duo experienced Årst and Hoff, the first have ten goals after eleven meetings! But Start is on opposite path, while Haugesund seems better and better, Start performed poorly especially away from home. Let’s look the last six rounds. At home, Start were defeated against Aalesund (2-3), played a draw with Rosenborg (1-1, boring match, Start equalized on the last minute with a penalty but deservedly), lost against Stabæk (2-4), finally won over Fredrikstad FK (3-2) last week. True that FFK got a present penalty but Start was not so good on the second half and the guests acquired a goal after they got a red card and played with ten people. Start showed awful performance away from home, Brann (2-1) and Molde (5-1) also beat them, Brann could have won by 2 or 3 goals margin. The injury situation is not the best, Madsen and Oluyi are still out, regular centre back Priske injured in last round, regular midfielder Strømstad is doubtful, another regular midfielder Børufsen is suspended.

Haugesund will back home after disappointed last defeat and I think Start has not serious chance here. The visitors are coming without important players and their form is quite poor while the hosts are dangerous at home, they should win this meeting.