Gameweek 10 Preview

Saturday 25th July

Odd v Aalesund (Home win)

Last week Odd travelled to Sarpsborg, and despite a pretty even game with not many big chances, they came away with a 2-0 defeat, losing two second half goals from shots from outside the box. It was their first defeat in four, so they will be looking to bounce back against the leagues bottom club.

Aalesund lost 1-3 at home to Stabæk despite an improved performance from the previous game. They created plenty of chances, but ultimately were let down again by giving the ball away in dangerous positions and failing to defend well in transition. It is becoming a common theme and something they need to work on.

Aalesund still haven't won this season as they sit bottom of the league with 3 points, although if you look at their last 3 away games, they have drawn twice against Strømsgodset and Vålerenga, and a narrow loss against Sandefjord. 

They have conceded a goal in every game so far, and only failed to score against Sandefjord, so this isn't a game I expect to be goalless. I think maybe pressure of a win expected against Sandefjord meant they played their worst attacking display of the season.

In six out of the nine games so far for Odd, they have either failed to score, or there opponents have failed to score, so it is a bit of a contrast between these two sides. Having watched the footage from the last few games however, they don't play a defensive game in particular, and they have been creating chances recently, so I don't expect either side to keep clean sheets.

Another market which might be of interest is corners. Odd concede on average over 7 corners in their home games, so could maybe look at Aalesund for 4 or more corners, they do attack in good numbers.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score, over 2.5 goals (odds 2.00)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Lauritsen(3.00), Haugen(4.33) or Hoff(6.00)

Brann v Kristiansund (Home win)

A game between two teams that started the season well, but have had a mini slump the last few games. Brann drew at home to Start, 1-1. It could and probably should have been a win, Taylor had a good effort well saved when the game was 1-1, and Brann dominated the second half, to no avail.

That is two poor results in a row, with only one goal scored, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways over Kristiansund. KBK have now not won in their last five games, drawing three of them, including a 0-0 draw with Vålerenga last time out.

It hasn't been great for them recently, and in truth they are struggling to create big chances. There was a couple late chances last week, but again Pellegrino wasn't on the end of them, the only one looking likely for them this season.

Only two goals in the last three games, so both of these teams not in goalscoring form. Brann however last week created plenty, and at home here you would fancy them to create opportunities. Gilbert Koomson scored again last week, that is five now for the season. Taylor is getting more chances now than he had been early in the season.

It is Bamba who isn't getting in goalscoring positions, and to be honest I haven't been impressed with his movement any time I have watched Brann.

Last weeks 0-0 for Kristiansund was their second 0-0 of the season, but the other 7 games have seen both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals in every game, and apart from the last two games, Brann games all had over 2.5 goals. 

Given that Start have been playing super defensively recently, I'm willing to look past last weeks game, and say this game should have goals in it, and with the odds slightly reflecting last weeks games, I think it is favourable to look at the overs market.

Bet Builder: over 2.5 goals, over 8.5 corners

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Taylor(3.25), Koomson(3.50) or Pellegrino(2.50)

Sunday 26th July

Bodø/Glimt v Molde (Score Draw)

The big game of the weekend between the top two takes place on Sunday with both teams still unbeaten.

Glimt beat Mjøndalen 3-2 on Sunday, just holding on in the end after being 3-0 up early in the second half. It is their 9th win in a row, but this isn't the first time they have been run close with teams coming back at them late on.

Molde won 4-0 at Strømsgodset, although the first half they were really poor and lucky to go in ahead with a late first half goal giving them the advantage. They dominated the second half and looked very convincing and dangerous, particularly on the counter attack, something Glimt are a little open too.

I don't expect this will be a defensive affair, Glimt attack in numbers, and Molde do like to control possession and have a slightly slower build up. It will be the biggest test so far for the home side of their title credentials.

Glimt have 35 goals, but they have conceded in every game except two. Molde on the other hand have kept three clean sheets on the bounce, four in total this season, and they are scoring at a good rate too, 28 for the season so far. 

Both teams to score looks obvious here, as do goals. Both teams have been leading at half time in the majority of games, 7 for Molde, 8 for Glimt. But Molde have dominated more second halves, recently they have really turned it on the second half of games.

It is hard to pick a winner, but goals is the one thing we should look at with certain. I do think Molde might let Glimt come on to them early and try and wear them down over the 90, and counter attacks will certainly be dangerous.

Whether they win or not I'm not sure, but I do think they will win one of the halves, and it is a fairly good price to do that.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score, Molde to win either half (2.30)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Zinckernagel(2.40), James(2.25) or Hauge(2.40)

Sandefjord v Mjøndalen (Away Win)

Mjøndalen lost at home to Glimt last week and were unlucky, but that is now 4 defeats on the bounce, and their early season promise is starting to fade a little. However, they showed quality and fight against Glimt, and that should give them some confidence,

Sandefjord lost at Rosenborg, but they went 2-0 down and nearly grabbed an equaliser late on when they hit the bar. So again, that should give them some confidence. That being said, they have lost 6 of the last 7 games.

This game as a result might be a tense affair, and it isn't one we can expect goals. Sandefjord haven't scored more than once in any of the last 7 games, and Mjøndalen on the road have only scored more than once when they scored 3 at hapless Aalesund.

Both teams average over 2 yellow cards per game, so I do expect there to be cards, and it will likely be a bit of a stop start game that lacks real quality.

If you look at the last 4 defeats for Mjøndalen, they have been against Glimt, an impoving Godset, Vålerenga and Molde. Before that they won at Aalesund, and I do think they have a good chance here. 

Sandefjord aren't great in open play, and set pieces is something Mjøndalen usually defend quite well.

Bet Builder: Mjøndalen to win, under 3.5 goals in the game(3.10)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Nakkim(10.00, might hit penalties), Ibrahim(2.40) or Brochmann(3.50)

Start v Stabæk (Draw)

Since Start lost 5-0 against Odd, they have decided to tighten things up and approach it differently. That has resulted in 5 games in a row with 2, 1 or no goals. It is something I expect to see again this week. Last week they drew 1-1 at Brann, and although they played better in the first half, the second half was a real backs to the wall display.

Start still haven't won this season and you wonder where it might come from if they continue to play this defensive approach.

Stabæk won last week at Aalesund, a good result, although they gave up more chances than they would have liked. Kosuke Kinoshita became the second ever Japanese goalscorer in Eliteserien with his first of the season, and he will be looking to kick on now.

Again I was impressed with Vetlesen, and also Edvardsen got his goal and looked really lively up top.

Stabæk now 5th, and have only lost two games this season, against Molde and Rosenborg. This will be another game they look to win, and they definitely should be looking to avoid defeat.

Start have drawn 3 of their last 4, and that is a likely outcome here, but it will be a tight game that could be hard to predict a winner. 

Stabæk have won their last two away games, so they will be looking to make it three in a row this weekend. If Start are a little more adventurous on their home patch, and having not won yet, Stabæk can hit them on the break, something they are very good at with the pace they have in wide areas.

Bet Builder: Under 3.5 goals, Stabæk to win or draw(1.90)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Kinoshita(3.20), Vetlesen(5.00) or Skålevik(2.75)

Vålerenga v Strømsgodset (Home win)

Vålerenga currently sit 3rd, and they have only lost 1 game so far, but they are still yet to completely convince. They have won 4 and drawn 4, all of their wins coming by just one goal. Last week they had a pretty dull 0-0 draw with Kristiansund, failing to create any meaningful chances from open play.

Aron Dønnum was back, but he has been linked with a potential switch to Besiktas in the last week, it will be interesting to see how reacts. He has been the main creative outlet for Vålerenga this season, and they will be keen to keep him at least for the rest of the year.

Strømsgodset were hammered by Molde, but despite that they have picked up their performances the last few games. The first half last week they were excellent, and should have been easily leading. 

Vålerenga are unbeaten at home so far, so I wouldn't expect them to lose here. Also Godset have lost their last two away games 3-0 and 2-0. I would be surprised however if there is more than one goal between the teams in this one, so likely a 1-0, 2-1 or 1-1. 

Godset have averaged over 5 corners a game in their away games this season, so that is something to maybe look at if looking at a bet builder.

Bet Builder: under 3.5 goals, Vålerenga to win either half(2.15)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Stokke(2.60), Mawa(3.60) or Vilhjalmsson(2.40)

Viking v Sarpsborg (Home Win)

Viking had their best performance of the season last Saturday evening, beating their rivals Haugesund 2-0, dominating throughout. The front 2 of Berisha, Bytyqi and Ibrahimaj looked very dangerous and linked up to create plenty chance throughout the game, something to can build on going forward. It was their second win of the season, and Haugesund did look really poor, so this week will be more of a test.

Sarpsborg won 2-0 at home to Odd, they are now unbeaten in four, winning three of those games. These are two teams that are evenly matched, and they are both looking to move up the table. Viking have scored in all 4 of their home games so far, Sarpsborg have scored in 3 of their 4 away games so far and in their last 4 games.

I can see both teams scoring here and with the way Viking seem to have found something in the front 3 now, they should create plenty chances. Sarpsborg are looking a lot better recently, Strand Larsen up top isn't scoring goals, but his general play is good and other players are benefiting from his link play.

Neither team have scored a lot of first half goals, 4 and 3 respectively of the 10 they each have, so 2nd half goals something to look at too.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score, Most goals in second half (3.20)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Ibrahimaj(4.75), Bytyqi(4.33) or Coulibaly(3.75)

Haugesund v Rosenborg (Away Win)

Rosenborg are coming in off the back of a home win over Sandefjord, although it was fairly unconvincing. Despite that they are now six unbeaten, winning four of them. So they travel to Haugesund in good form, and the same can't be said for the hosts.

Haugesund have now lost their last 3 games, and failed to score in the last 4. Against Viking they failed to create anything of note and it was a really worrying display. Sandberg came off at the break, and Velde looked like he was trying to do a lot on his own.

Rosenborg have only lost twice this season, against Glimt and Molde unsurprisingly. They have won 2 of their 4 away games, easily winning at Stabæk and also beating Brann. There last away game was a 0-0 at Start, but this is a game on grass, a surface they play on at Lerkendal, so it should suit them.

Haugesund are being dragged into relegation trouble having only won twice so far this year, against Start and Sandefjord. It is a worry the lack of goals, just six so far in the nine games.

Rosenborg come in as favourites, but they are not huge favourites despite what results should suggest. They usually take some time to get going, still only scored 3 in the first half this season out of the 13 they have so far.

It could take a while but I do think RBK will get the job done here, although it could well be tight.

Bet Builder: RBK to win second half (2.50) and add RBK 4+ corners in the game.

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Børven(2.40), Helland(3.50) or Velde(4.75)

Bets of the Weekend 

NAP - BTTS in Glimt/Molde and Viking/Sarpsborg (2.31)

Rosenborg to win (2.15)

Stabæk to win or draw, and under 3.5 goals v Start (1.90)

Lillestrøm and Tromsø to both win (2.09)

over 2.5 goals in Stjørdals Blink/Strømmen and KFUM Oslo/Sogndal games (2.17)