Start vs Aalesund - Eliteserien

When Start and Aalesund clash at the home ground on March 21, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Eliteserien fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. Jorge Salinas is of interest to Manchester United(Image: 2024 Soccrates Images B.V.) United are one of several Premier League clubs weighing up whether to meet Bologna’s €25m (£21.7m) valuation for Jhon Lucumi, according to Corriere di Bologna.

The standings paint a clear picture: Start in 16th, Aalesund in 15th, and both keen to climb. Start are mired in a difficult campaign, WLWLL over their last five and a paltry win rate of 20% painting a bleak picture. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, LWLDD in their last five and a season win rate of just 15% that leaves them deep in trouble. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. Larson has not visited Victory Lane since May last year but remains firmly in championship contention, sitting eighth in the standings as the NASCAR Chase approaches in September.

Set-piece efficiency and transition play often decide fixtures of this nature, and both managers will have been drilling those phases on the training ground. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: "If I’m Manchester United right now, I say press the green button and buy him, take him, right now.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer Amin Chiakha, with 12 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Watch Manchester United score their opening goal of the new Champions League campaign.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. On balance, Aalesund may just have enough to take all three points. A 1-2 away win would not be a shock. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. Manchester City will begin another Premier League season with major uncertainty hanging over the club after league chief executive Richard Masters admitted the long-awaited verdict on their financial case has taken longer than expected.