Mjøndalen and Sarpsborg 08

Last year saw Mjøndalen return to the top flight after three years out, and they managed to survive by one goal to Lillestrøm, thanks in large part to a 1-0 home win against Vålerenga on the final day.

They managed only six wins all campaign, drawing 12 games as they beat pre season expectations of an immediate return to OBOS-ligaen.

This season will be just as tough, with most of the important players hanging around for another season. although young goalkeeper, and likely future Rosenborg number 1, Julian Faye Lund, has returned to Lerkendal after his loan spell last year in Mjøndalen.

Based in Mjøndalen, around 55km away from Oslo to the south west, they play home games in the Consto Arena, with a capacity of 4'350 it is the smallest in Eliteserien.

Last season they won five times at home, and only once on the road, and 2020 the home form again will be crucial if they are to survive another year.

They do have a good core of players at a good age for progression, although their squad is quite small. However, the talismanic figure of Christian Gauseth is 36 this month and he has been a big part of the team for seven years now, so he will be one they have to stop relying on so heavily at some point.

One other player that will be missed this year is Pontus Silfwer, who has returned to Sweden after only 6 months in Mjøndalen, and was an important player for the second half of last season.

Incoming replacements don't look like they will take the league by storm, with defender Markus Nakkim a bit part player at Vålerenga last year joining, as well as some loan returns that might make an impact, including Vamouti Diomande, if he can remain injury free.

Also returning goalkeeper Sosha Makani is a reliable goalkeeper, so should give them a good reliable option between the sticks.

One signing that could have an impact is Lars Olden Larsen from KFUM Oslo. The 21 year old can play midfield or on the wing, managing to score 9 goals last season, helping KFUM to 4th place in OBOS-ligaen.

He looks like a real talent the way he carries the ball forward, and he also can strike a nice ball from distance, as well as being a set piece taker. He could definitely be an important part of the team this year in what will be another tough season.

Key Players

Star man last year Tonny Brochmann ended the season as top scorer with his 8 league goals, and since his arrival in mid 2018 has become crucial for Mjøndalen. The 30 year old Dane plays in midfield, usually slightly more advanced and is very good technically.

Short in stature, but he is confident taking the ball in tight areas and has very quick feet. Also he arrives in the box late, and likes to link up with the striker as well. It was the second time in his career he has scored 8 league goals in the top flight(Stabæk 2017), and this season with likely penalty duties, he could be on for more of the same.

Another key man, and a Mjøndalen legend, is Joackim Olsen Solberg. He played 8 seasons with the club before a couple of years away at Sandefjord, but after rejoining in summer 2018 he quickly became a cornerstone of the team, sometimes at left back, but last season more often in central midfield.

Now 31 he is reaching the twilight of his career, but he is often creating goals, 8 in the league last season, which was not an outlier from his usual. His left foot is accurate from crosses and he is a very accomplished passer in the middle of the park, and a reliable corner taker too.

Mjøndalen will have plenty defending to do, and Dutch centre back, Quint Jansen is probably the stand out in that department. The 29 year old moved to Mjøndalen in 2017, and the last two seasons really made himself a regular part of the team.

Tall and aggressive, he reads the game pretty well and had a nice relationship with Sondre Johansen last season. Both of them should be playing together again, there partnership very important if the club, who haven't played consecutive seasons in the top flight since the turns of the century, are to continue for a third year in 2021.

Prediction - 15th

Sarpsborg 08 are another side that struggled all the way until the final day last year, eventually finishing on the same points as Lillestrøm and Mjøndalen, ending the season with a tense 0-0 away draw at Lillestrøm.

The lowest scorers in the league with only 30 goals, they conceded only 40, showing what type of football you were likely to see from Sarpsborg last season.

Managed last season by Geir Bakke, he has now moved to Lillestrøm and so incoming manager Mikael Stahre will be charged with improving the sides attacking threat so they can move up the league.

His previous job was a relatively poor spell at San Jose Earthquakes, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on at his first Norwegian club. He brings plenty experience for a 44 year old, with spells in China, Greece and USA, as well as his native Sweden.

Sarpsborg play at the Sarpsborg Stadion, situated about an hour south of Oslo down towards the Swedish border. The stadium holds 8'022 and has been there since 1930, although has been redeveloped more recently than that.

There has been quite a lot of turnover at Sarpsborg this year, with there best player from last season, Kristoffer Zachariassen leaving for Rosenborg the most high profile departure.

Matti Lund Nilsen will also be missed after his move to Reggina in Italy, but there has been some interesting people in the door, and also Sarpsborg have some exciting young players that could be set for a break out this year, notably Strand Larsen and Coulibaly.

Last year the Europa League campaign probably didn't help their league form at the start of the season, so without the distraction this year, it could be back to the form of 2018 when they finished 8th, although unlikely to be as lofty as their 3rd place in 2017.

Key Players

At 20 years old, Jørgen Strand Larsen is definitely set for an important season upfront for Sarpsborg. Last year was his first year playing more regularly, but this year he will likely be the main man up front.

The tall striker has excellent hold up play, particularly for his age, but he is also a confident finisher when he gets in the position. Not lightening quick, but quick enough that he can be a threat in behind as well, if he can get a couple early goals this season he could see himself in double figures, and one of the next youngsters on the move to a bigger club.

Centre back Magnar Ødegaard returned to Sarpsborg in summer last year, and immediately made himself the main man at central defense. A former youth at Sarpsborg, he has gone on to have spells with Molde, Lillestrøm, Tromsø and AIK, with mixed success.

Now 27 he has returned to Sarpsborg and will be a big figure in the defense in 2020. He is a leader at the back, aggressive in the tackle, and can also be a threat in attacking set piece situations.

With Sarpsborg perhaps not the most offensive team in the league, he is crucial at both ends in set pieces, and crucial in defending the box.

Another youngster that broke into the first team at the end of last season, and could be set for a big year, is Gaute Høberg Vetti. Maybe he won't play every game, but the young midfielder has big potential. He gets about the pitch very well, is comfortable on the ball and strong too, there is competition for places in the midfield, but he is one to watch this year.

Sarpsborg 08 will be hoping to have a better season than last, although I am not convinced with the managers history, and Zachariassen leaving will be a big loss. I think they might struggle again, although I wouldn't be too surprised if they outperform my prediction.

Prediction 13th