Sandefjord will be hoping to escape the Eliteserien relegation zone when they take on Stabaek Football at Release Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts are in 15th place, having taken just nine points from their opening 11 games, while the visitors are six points better off, currently sitting in 10th place.

Match preview

Sandefjord only just avoided relegation from the Eliteserien last season, defeating Kongsvinger over two legs in the playoff match to secure their safety, and it appears as though they are set for a battle at the bottom end of the table once again.

The Whalers have been particularly poor defensively, having conceded 21 goals, the joint-second highest total in the division, and 15 of those have been let in during their last four games.

In two out of their last three away trips, Hans Erik Odegaard's side have been on the receiving end of heavy defeats, losing 5-0 against Molde and most recently coming up short in a 6-1 defeat against Sarpsborg 08.

Kristian Ospeth opened the scoring for Sarpsborg inside the opening 10 minutes, and there was never a route back into the game for Sandefjord, despite Jesper Taaje getting on the scoresheet just before the interval.

The only positive for the Whalers heading into Sunday's game is that they have earned the vast majority of their points at home so far this season, winning their last match at Release Arena in convincing fashion, defeating Odd 4-1.

It is Stabaek's first season back in the Eliteserien, having been promoted to the top flight last season, and they have enjoyed a solid, if not spectacular start, collecting 15 points from their opening 12 games.

As things stand, the Blues are six points clear of the bottom three, so they have a fair bit of breathing room, but their form will need to improve if they are to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle.

Lars Bohinen's side have picked up just one point in their last four games, with that coming in a 2-2 draw at home against Rosenborg back in June, but they were unable to take anything from their most recent home match.

Despite dominating possession and recording double the amounts of shots on target compared to their opponents, Stabaek fell to a 1-0 defeat, with Ari Leifsson's first-half effort proving to be decisive.

Team News

The only notable absentee for Sandefjord is central midfielder Simon Amin, who has been missing through injury since April, with Aleksander Nilsson, Filip Ottosson and Sander Mork set to make up the midfield three.

Despite managing to score nine league goals last season, Alexander Ruud Tveter has been very poor this season, finding the back of the net once in 11 games, so it would not be a surprise if Franklin Nyenetue is brought into the side, after being brought off the bench last time out.

As for Stabaek, Kevin Kabran remains unavailable, with the right winger missing the last five games through injury, meaning Kaloyan Kostadinov is set to keep his place in the starting lineup.

Blues manager Lars Bohinen has implemented a 3-4-2-1 formation in recent weeks, with Mushaga Bakenga poised to lead the line, having scored three goals in his last five matches.

Sandefjord possible starting lineup:
Keto; Berglie, Taaje, Palerud, Smeulers; Mork, Ottosson, Nilsson; Koomson, Al Saed, Tveter

Stabaek Football possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Pedersen, Naess, Skovgaard; Ottesen, Haugen, Lucca, Pachonik; Kostadinov, Krogstad, Bakenga

We say: Sandefjord 1-0 Stabaek Football

Both sides have been disappointing in recent weeks, with Sandefjord ending up on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, but they have fared much better at home, and we expect them to record a narrow victory this weekend.

Stabaek have lost four of their opening five away games this season, so it would not be a surprise if they come up just short, getting dragged into the relegation battle in the process.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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