Sarpsborg host Kristiansund in league clash at the stadium
Sarpsborg 08 welcome Kristiansund BK to Sarpsborg Stadion on Sunday, November 1, in round 25 of Eliteserien. The hosts are seventh in the table, while the visitors are 15th. The game comes just days after the cup tie against Vålerenga at the same ground.
What is at stake
Sarpsborg 08 host Kristiansund BK at Sarpsborg Stadion on Sunday, November 1. Kick-off in round 25 of Eliteserien is at 5 pm local time.
The hosts go into the match seventh in the table on 31 points from 24 games. That is one point clear of eighth-placed KFUM Oslo on 30, and eight behind sixth-placed Lillestrøm on 39. Every point in the closing rounds can move a side up or down the middle of the standings.
Kristiansund sit 15th on 20 points, 11 fewer than Sarpsborg. The visitors are in the lower reaches of the table, so they will arrive in Sarpsborg needing results.
Form and context
Sarpsborg's last two league matches at home produced contrasting results. On October 18 they lost 3-0 to Rosenborg, who led 2-0 at half-time. A week later, on October 25, they beat Aalesund 2-1 at Sarpsborg Stadion, having been 1-0 down at the break.
The Kristiansund game follows a busy midweek. Sarpsborg host Vålerenga at the stadium in the third round of the cup on Wednesday, October 28, before turning their attention back to the league. The two home fixtures within five days will give the stadium its second big crowd of the week.
The sides have already met in Eliteserien this season. Their first meeting, on July 18 at Nordmøre stadion, ended 0-0 at half-time and full-time. Sunday's match is the return fixture, this time in Sarpsborg.
A familiar home ground
Sarpsborg Stadion has been the club's home since 1930 and has been modernised many times since 2000. Its total capacity is 8,022. The artificial surface has been in place since 2009.
The ground is central. It lies roughly 700 metres from Sarpsborg torg and the end of the pedestrian street, and about two kilometres from the E6 exit at Alvim. Visiting supporters are placed behind one of the goals, so the away section from Kristiansund will sit in that end.
The stadium is also the Football Association's preferred venue for youth internationals and women's internationals, and hosts several international matches every year. On a league Sunday in late autumn, though, the focus is on Sarpsborg 08 and a home crowd hoping to see the team build on the win over Aalesund.
With the match in the club's calendar for 5 pm on Sunday, supporters should check the club's website and app for the latest match-day information.
Sources: sarpsborg08.no, sofascore.com, no.wikipedia.org
