Brann Bergen v IK Start – Norway Tippeligaen Betting Preview + Prediction
07 May 2016, Brann Stadion, 18:00 GMT +0
Brann have some possible injury troubles here as Deyver Vega has been ruled out and Jakob Orlov who’s been doing well in the central striker position had to be brought off against Tromsø due to injury. Good news is that Kristoffer Barmen is back in training and could get some minutes today. This is they type of a match, where they want to dominate, keeping possession and pinning down the Start defence with passes out wide to the strikers who then drift in to shoot or play the ball into the box. They have to be careful not to give Start any chances to counter-attack though. When playing at home, they want to come out attacking against most sides, and Start is certainly one of those. Their attacks often come with passes out to the wide strikers who drift in to shoot or play the ball into the box. They have to be careful not to lose the ball in dangerous situations and Nilsen is key in his holding role, providing balance while remaining midfielders and fullbacks push up the pitch to attack.
Out-of-form Start‘s morale will be boosted as important players Hoff and Skogmo have been confirmed available and look set to come in and strengthen the line-up. Hollingen should also be available to give Pedersen more options on the bench. They’ll likely try to sit back and crowd the midfield in order to close down Brann’s creative players and defend their point. Attacks will come through fast breaks with wingers Hoff and Børufsen good at linking up with the strikers. Anyway, poor form and recent cup exit has surely affected morale in the squad, but Start were expected to struggle this season so they’re not too disappointed yet. Away to Brann is a very tough game and they’ll likely be happy with a draw here, but you don’t always get what you hope for.
Brann’s defeat to Tromsø was a big disappointment and they see the game against Start as a very good chance to bounce back with a win. They’ll settle for nothing less than three points.
Prediction: Brann -0.75
Odds: 1.86 Dafabet // 1.83 Pinnacle
