Saturday 1st August
Sandefjord v Molde (away win)
Molde travel to Sandefjord on Saturday afternoon on the back of a convincing 4-1 win against Vålerenga, as they bounce back from that defeat against Glimt. It was another example of how strong a squad they have and the spread of goals, as 4 different scorers gave them the win, and Eikrem as well as Leke James both sat on the bench for most of the game.
Sandefjord went into half time leading Kristiansund 1-0, but ended up with a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday. A third game in 6 days could be a tough ask for the promoted side, against Molde who have the ability to rotate, particularly in the attacking areas, Sandefjord could find it really tough on Saturday evening.
Molde have now won 9 out of 11 games, and in 8 of those games, they have been leading at half time. Sandefjord have lost 7 games, in 5 of them they have been behind at the half.
With Molde having much more ability to rotate, 3 days after a good win for them and poor defeat for Sandefjord, I expect nothing other than Molde taking the lead in this one on the first half, and stretching their legs in the second.
In 22 halves of football, Molde have only failed to score in four of them, so I expect them to be scoring in both halves here too.
It is hard to see how Sandefjord can trouble Molde, and against the other promoted sides, Molde have scored 4 and 3 goals, both away from home.
Bet builder: Molde HT/FT, Molde to score in both halves(2.87)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Leke James(1.90), Eikrem(2.10) or Hussain(3.10)
Brann v Vålerenga (Draw)
Brann are now 4 games without a win as they were beaten at Strømsgodset 3-1 on Wednesday. They were well beaten in the end, struggling defensively, but also heavily reliant on Gilbert Koomson in attack. Bamba is getting more and more frustrated with his lack of goals and service, but Koomson now has 8 this season after another goal in defeat.
Vålerenga were well beaten by Molde, but there was some bright things to note. Bård Finne got a goal off the bench, but it was Osame Sahraoui that continues to improve. The teenager looks like a real good talent and is starting to create more for Vålerenga, which is important that they don't become reliant on Dønnum on the right hand side.
One thing I think will happen in this game is both teams getting a goal. Brann have only failed to score in 2 games so far, Vålerenga in just 1. So although neither are scoring massive amounts of goals, they are both creating chances and have enough attacking threat.
It probably won't be a high scoring game, but I do think both teams have their best players in attack. This game in the last 3 years hasn't had a lot of goals, no more than 3 in the last 6 games.
In terms of players scoring, it is hard to look past Gilbert Koomson for Brann. He has scored in the last 3 games, and 5 in the last 5. In terms of Vålerenga, they are struggling to find a regular goalscorer. Chief creating comes from Dønnum and Borchgrevink on the right hand side, and for me, the left back for Brann is terrible.
So I am looking at those two creating something for either Sahraoui or Stokke to get a goal.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score, Under 4.5 goals (2.15)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Koomson(3.60), Sahraoui(7.00) or Stokke(3.20)
Sunday 2nd August
Bodø/Glimt v Strømsgodset (home win)
Glimt finally dropped their first points of the season at Stabæk on Thursday evening, losing a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. They should have been out of sight, especially at 2-1 when they missed several good chances. But they were pegged back and in the second half didn't quite get going.
There were goals again for Saltnes and Junker, that is 5 and 10 respectively for those two. They have now conceded in the last five games though, 7 in total, so they will have to tighten things up at the back.
Strømsgodset beat Brann 3-1 on Wednesday with a good display in what has been an inconsistent start to the season. There was another goal for Moses Mawa, that is 3 in the last 6 games for him as he starts to be more of a threat. I'm not particularly impressed with him, but he is quick and has an eye for goal. Not convinced he is a very smart player, but his attributes mean he is hard to stop if he is on a good day.
This game should be one for the home side to go back to winning ways. As well as that it is a game we can expect goals, probably for both teams. Godset have conceded over 2 goals a game on average away from home, with Glimt scoring over 3.5 on average. Godset have conceded at least 2 in every away game, so it will be tough for them on Sunday.
Glimt have scored at least two in every game still, and we can expect that to continue. I think the right hand side of the Godset defense could find it really tough against Hauge, Bjørkan and Saltnes, and I expect goals to be created from that area.
Godset, although they are slowly improving, lost 4-0 against Molde just three games ago, and I'm expecting another tough one for them here, the only saving grace they have is the extra days rest which might help keep the score down.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score, Glimt to score in both halves(2.50)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Zinckernagel(1.80), Hauge(1.90) or Mawa(4.33)
Haugesund v Stabæk (draw)
Stabæk became the first team to take points off of Glimt on Thursday with a well deserved point in a good performance from them. Emil Bohinen was really impressive in the middle of the park, and so was Hugo Vetlesen. There were goals from Solheim and Normann Hansen that keeps them up in 6th place with only 2 defeats so far.
Haugesund played out a pretty unsurprising 0-0 draw with Sarpsborg as both teams continued their goal scoring troubles. That is now just 1 goal in the last 6 games for Haugesund, one win and two draws in amongst those games.
With an extra days rest, and back at home, I think they have a good chance here, in what is likely to be a low scoring game. Although Stabæk score and concede more than one goal a game on average, Haugesund's last eight games have resulted in 7 of them being under 3 goals, only a 3-0 defeat to Molde being over that.
Stabæk don't sit back on the road though, averaging 1.6 goals scored and conceded, so it is possible an early goal could open this one up, but I won't bet on it. One thing is that Ibrahima Wadji has had two games now back from his doping ban, so should be getting up to speed and he could be due his first goal.
Both teams have exciting young players I have talked about and mentioned a lot this season worth keeping an eye on. Hugto Vetlesen for Stabæk and Kristoffer Velde for Haugesund have impressed, and are both goal threats this weekend.
One thing I am looking at this weekend in this one is corners for Stabæk. They average over 4 corners a game away from home, but adding to the fact that Haugesund concede nearly 7 on average at home, it is worth backing Stabæk corners.
Bet Builder: Stabæk 4 corners or more and Stabæk to score at least 1(2.55)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Vetlesen(6.00), Velde(4.33) or Wadji(2.75)
Sarpsborg v Aalesund(Draw)
Aalesund finally got their first win of the season on Wednesday as they came from behind at half time to win 3-2 against Start. It was hattrick number two of the season for Holmbert Fridjonsson, who moves on to 8 goals for the season.
Sarpsborg meanwhile were playing out a 0-0 draw with Haugesund, the 5th time this season now that they have failed to score. Just 10 goals in 11 games, it is clear what their main issue has been.
Off the back of that win on Wednesday, Aalesund will have their tails up, and I am backing them to come in to this and get a goal in the first half. They have scored 11 goals in the first half of the 16 they have total, just 2 of the 11 games they haven't scored in the first half, despite only winning once.
Sarpsborg are the opposite, they have only 3 first half goals, but they have conceded 9 in the first half of games, out of the 12 total.
Aalesund have scored and conceded in every game except one, so I don't see this one being any different, and because Sarpsborg are generally not seeing both teams to score, the odds are good.
Sarpsborg generally prefer to play counter attacking football, but I think they will try and assert their dominance on Aalesund, so I can't see it being a low scoring game.
The home side win a lot of corners usually, and given Aalesund have shown a little bit more spirit the last two games defensively, I can see them blocking a lot of shots and Sarpsborg winning plenty corners.
Bet Builder: Aalesund to score in FH, Both teams to score, 9+ corners(4.50)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Ofkir(3.40), Larsen(2.50) or Fridjonsson(3.20)
Start v Mjøndalen(Home Win)
Start are still searching that first win after losing at Aalesund as they find themselves joint bottom of the table. Recently they have been showing a little bit more resolve, and in fairness they were probably unlucky at Aalesund, with a dubious penalty award, as well as hitting the underside of the bar while the game was 2-2.
Mjøndalen are in free fall now after a decent start to the season. They have lost six straight games, and were really poor in losing 2-0 at home to Odd on Wednesday night, although they did play with 10 men for 65 minutes. Start could jump them with a win, and if Aalesund win as well, Mjøndalen could be bottom of the league by Monday.
The last 3 home games for Start have been drawn, with two 0-0 games and a 1-1. So this will likely be another tight game with not many goals. Both these sides have only 10 goals each in the 11 games so far, and both will be low in confidence.
One Start player who has been good this season is Mathias Bringaker, he is scoring goals, and has continued to be a threat despite none of his teammates really chipping in with goals. He has 4, and only Schulze with 2 has more than 1 goals so far.
It's a similar problem for the away side, Ibrahim has 4, only one other player has 2. Ibrahim however has lost his form after scoring 4 straight goals, he now has gone 5 without scoring.
Hard to see past a low scoring game here, either side stealing a 1 goal win or a draw. I prefer Start because they are at home, and they shown signs of scoring goals recently, far more so than Mjøndalen.
Bet Builder: under 3.5 goals, Start to win or draw(1.80)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Bringaker(3.10), Skålevik(2.60) or Olden Larsen(4.00)
Viking v Kristiansund(Home win)
Viking were beaten 3-0 at Rosenborg on Thursday, but it was a really flattering result for the home side as Viking should have been ahead by 1 or 2 goals in the first half. Berisha missed a couple of good chances, and they dominated play for 35 minutes.
Kristiansund turned round a 1-0 deficit at half time to win 3-1 over Sandefjord, a much needed win after 6 games without a 3 points. The goals were shared out between Bye, Skarsem and Pellegrino as they looked far better than Sandefjord.
This game should be a good one, Viking have looked far better the last few games, and they are playing some excellent attacking football now. Kristiansund are tough to beat, but they aren't keeping clean sheets, just two so far.
As well as looking at both teams scoring here, I will be looking at corners. In 8 of the 11 matches so far, there has been at least 10 corners in Viking games, and it is 7 of 11 for Krsitiansund games.
KBK have scored in 9 of the 11 games, and Viking have scored in 8 of their games. It should easily be 9 with the chances they missed against RBK, some of them very good saves.
With the extra days rest it might help Kristiansund a little, but I think on Thursday Viking made substitutes early since they were behind, and should be good to go on Sunday.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score, over 9.5 corners in the match(2.45)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Berisha(2.50), Pellegrino(2.30) or Ibrahimaj(4.33)
Odd v Rosenborg(Draw)
Odd have moved up to third in the table after their win over Mjøndalen, and have won 4 out of their last 5 games. A double for Joshua Kitolano on Wednesday gave them their latest win, and they will be looking forward to welcoming Rosenborg with an extra days rest on their side.
Rosenborg as was said were very flattered with their 3-0 win over Viking, but they did play much better in the second half of that game, pressing high and winning the ball back, and there was a goal for Torgeir Børven as well, which will give him confidence as he returns to his old stomping ground.
This is a tough one to call, as I do think RBK are very slowly improving, but Odd are finding ways to win games. Rosenborg have only conceded 8 goals in the 11 games so far, but they gave up a lot of chances on thursday, so I can't see them keeping another one on Sunday night.
RBK didn't score in their last two away games, and were really poor against Haugesund last weekend when they lost 1-0. Odd have conceded 9 in their 6 home games so far, so I think both teams to score here is likely, especially with Børven against his old club.
I like with the extra days rest, and form they are in to look at Odd not losing this game, as RBK have struggled on the road recently, and have struggled to put two good games together back to back.
Also, with Børven against his old club, how often do players seem to score against them. Well he is a good price to do it anytime, so worth a punt.
Bet Builder: Odd to win or draw, Both teams to score(2.40)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Børven(2.50), Bakenga(2.87) or Helland(3.60)
Eliteserien bets of the Weekend
Molde HT/FT (2.10)
Molde to score in both halves (2.10) NAP
Aalesund to score in the first half (2.50)
BTTS Viking v Kristiansund and Sarpsborg v Aalesund (2.62)
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