FK Haugesund – Kristiansund

Never has any team had a weaker start to a season in the Eliteserien than this year's Haugesund team has. Because no one has ever had 1 point and -27 in goal difference after 11 league matches since the merger into one top division in 1961. But before this season, it was actually today's opponent who held the record. Kristiansund also had 1 point at the same time in the 2022 season. Admittedly with a significantly better goal difference. But the season still ended in relegation. Can Fk Haugesund manage the impossible?

Fk Haugesund – The Great Escape

Not many people believe that this year's season can be saved. And it doesn't seem like the players believe it either. But the management couldn't sit idly by and watch the boat sink, so the remaining money was used to lock Sanchev out of his contract and bring in Tony Korkeakunnas. A Finn with moderate success from his home country.

But he should have it, the best Toni; he has left his clear mark on the team. And from playing with five at the back under the previous coach, where very little was created, Fk Haugesund now plays much more directly. Which seems very sensible. The home team does not have enough creative players to unlock teams that are in balance, and therefore the idea is probably to take the teams out of balance. And against Bodø/Glimt they were close. And they were certainly also against Sandefjord. The results were ugly, but if you look behind the numbers, Fk Haugesund created chances. And even if the season cannot be saved, the goals will come at some point, so why not already against KBK?

And this time Korkeakunnas has far more options. Only in goal can he now choose between three equally good goalkeepers. The young Fauskanger made his debut against Bodø/Glimt, after Amund Wichne had been on duty all season. But he was on national team duty when the team played against Sandefjord, so Jasper Torkildsen made his debut, after his transfer from IK Start. But that will be enough for one match, after he will probably have to take some of the blame for the loss against Sandefjord. So my tip is that Fauskanger is back between the sticks against KBK.

But it doesn't stop there, because the defense is also strengthened this time. Because with both Hope and Solheim back, Dia can move into the central defense together with Fischer, so that Krusnell gets the left back, and Bondhus is moved back to the bench. In addition, a healthy Troy can challenge Innvær, and Rohd can get the left wing back so that Bisosa can be benched and Eskesen can be moved back into the center. And speaking of Rohd; he has played brilliantly for Denmark's U20 team in June with two goals and an assist, so he is, same with Troy, the creativity Fk Haugesund has been missing since Tounetki left.

Kristiansund – Askeladden who eats cherries with the grown-ups

But this will not be an easy task for Haugesund. No task is easy for the by far worst team in the division, but Kristiansund comes south sailing on a pink cloud. Not only did they beat Rosenborg 4-1, but they also advanced to the semi-finals of the cup this week after a penalty shootout against Stabæk. That does something to the mentality in the group. And for a team that was mentioned as one of the teams that could potentially end up from the middle and down, this is a game to be won.

But one thing that has surprised us about this year's KBK team is how good they are offensively. They will be in their fluid 4-3-3/4-5-1, and players like Kilen, Kristensen, Tufekcic and Isah have been in brilliant form lately, and they could quickly get good working conditions against a Haugesund team that needs to advance.

However, not everything is rosy in the northwest either. Although they have scored 17 goals in this year's 12 league matches, they have conceded 19. It is impressive to score four goals against RBK and two goals against Brann, but KBK has conceded goals in 11 of their 12 matches this year. And with first choice goalkeeper, American Michael Lansing, out, FK Haugesund should have a clear goal of getting something out of this.

The battle no one can afford to lose

Or; KBK can afford to lose this one. But no one should lose to Fk Haugesund this year. No one has done it so far, and all the teams have been so much better that KBK are also legitimate favorites here. But on the other hand, it should be practically impossible to go through an entire season without winning a game, so here the home team should run out onto the field with a realistic hope of points. And that gives us odds players a good starting point.

Because with 3.2 goals on average for the home team, and 3 for the away team, an overplay can be considered good. Especially considering that 3p is the only thing that works for Fk Haugesund. And it helps to know that there is, most likely, a 16-year-old in the home goal, and in front of him a defense that has leaked 31 goals so far this year. In addition, I think the sloppy ball losses in the middle against Sandefjord cost them the game. And it could well happen again, even though Konradsen, Eskesen and Leite have a habit of running their socks off.

In addition, we should remember that Rohd and Troy will add much-needed creativity to the home team. So we will have to live with the fact that Runar Espejord is injured and that there really aren't that many goals in Sory Diarra.

But Fk Haugesund must advance. And against a team that has conceded 1.58 goals on average, it can be easy. Even though the home team has only managed 4 goals so far this year. But with a new coach and a new playing style, there is reason to hope. And that is why we are trying the following games;

Norway at 14:30: Fk Haugesund – Kristiansund BK: Both teams to score (1.62)

Alternative games;

Norway at 14:30: Fk Haugesund – Kristiansund BK: Over 2.5 goals (1.75)

Norway at 14:30: Fk Haugesund – Kristiansund BK: 1X (1.70)