Sandefjord face a key home match against Start on Sunday 20 September at 17:00 at Jotun Arena. The team is coming off a 3-2 away defeat to Bodø/Glimt last weekend and needs points to secure their position in the Eliteserien.
Sandefjord sit 13th in the Eliteserien with 20 points from 20 games. They have scored 18 goals and conceded 27 this season. The manager must find solutions in defence, with four players ruled out through injury. Devon Koswal, Filip Loftesnes Bjune, Marcus Melchior and Nikolaj Möller are all unavailable.
Injuries affect the squad
Without these players, it becomes harder to field a stable defence. Sandefjord used a 5-4-1 system against Bodø/Glimt, with E. Hadaya in goal and players like F. Pedersen, R. Holten and S. Mørk in central defensive roles. This formation may be necessary again against Start, who play with two strikers.
Start arrive at Jotun Arena with better confidence. They beat Brann 2-0 at home last weekend and have won two of their last five matches. Their team used a 5-3-2 system against Brann, with F. Manojlović in goal and strikers H. Lorentzen and N. Koutsakos up front. However, Sandefjord won the last meeting between the sides 3-2 in a friendly match back in March.
For Sandefjord, it is important to get a good start and exploit the home advantage. They have won only one of their last five matches, with two draws and two defeats. The victory away to Sarpsborg 08 FF in August shows the team can perform.
The match against Start is the first opportunity to reverse the trend after two consecutive losses. A win could provide important distance from the relegation places, while Start sit 16th and also need points. Sandefjord play at home at Jotun Arena on Sunday at 17:00.
