Gameweek 13 Preview

Eliteserien round 13 takes place this weekend, with Glimt remaining unbeaten and holding a 3 point lead over Molde. Molde played an extra game on Wednesday evening, hammering Start 5-0, so Glimt will be looking to keep the pressure on, in what will be their toughest away test of the season so far, a trip to Vålerenga.

Saturday 8th August

Vålerenga v Bodø/Glimt (Away Win)

Glimt travel to Oslo to meet Vålerenga on Saturday night looking to remain unbeaten, and hoping to be the first team to beat Vålerenga at Intility Arena this year.

They come into this one on the back of a 3-2 win over Strømsgodset on Sunday, another high scoring game and impressive attacking display, mixed in with some defensive frailty. Goals came from unsurprising sources, with Zinckernagel and Hauge getting one each, and also an own goal which was turned in from a Zinckernagel cross. 

Vålerenga travelled to Bergen on Saturday and came away with a 2-1 win after a game of penalties. Bård Finne scored two from the spot after they had gone behind to an early Brann penalty. It was their 4th win in the last 6 games, and they currently sit in 4th place in the league.

Glimt come into this one having scored at least two goals in every away game, averaging 3.67 per game. They have beaten teams who sit in against them, and teams that come out and try to press them, and generally being away from home suits them as teams play a slightly higher line.

Vålerenga as I said are unbeaten at home, but in probably their toughest test so far they were well beaten 4-1 at Molde, and this could be another tough game for them. Defensive midfielder Felix horn Myhre is suspended for this one, and he is usually the most disciplined player when the team attacks.

It has hard to look past Glimt, and also hard to avoid looking at goals in this game. Over 3.5 goals in every away game so far for Glimt, but also, as has happened in 10 of the 12 games for Glimt so far, both teams scoring.

Bjørkan and Hauge v Dønnum and Borchgrevink on the Glimt left hand side is going to be one to watch very close, two of the best full back winger partnerships in the league.

Bet Builder: Over 3.5 Goals, Both teams to Score(2.10)

Goalscorers to add to bet Builder: Hauge(2.25), Zinckernagel(2.25) or Finne(2.75)

Sunday 9th August

Aalesund v Viking (Away Win)

Aalesund were hoping to go back to back wins when they met Sarpsborg last week, but it turned into a second half collapse as they lost 4 goals and a 4-0 defeat was the result. Another big defeat in the season, they have already conceded 38 goals over the 12 games so far, absolute certainties for relegation if they don't sort that out.

Viking themselves aren't getting good results, although they have been playing better recently, particularly in attack. The front three are combining well and creating plenty chances, which should bode well for this weekends match up.

Last week they lost at home to Kristiansund 2-1, despite having 18 shots in the game, they lost a late goal from a header after a set piece had come back in to the box. It was a disappointing result in an even game.

This week I fancy them to bounce back, and score some goals doing it at Aalesund. In home games so far, Aalesund have conceded 4,2,3,6,3,2 and there is every reason to expect more of the same as they don't seem to be changing their setup much.

Although Viking are struggling, I think they are playing better than their position suggests, so their price is a little higher than I would expect.

Another thing to potentially look at is Viking corners. they average well over 7 away from home, so could well rack up corners against a poor Aalesund.

Bet Builder: Viking to score 2 or more, Viking to win (2.60)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Berisha(2.25), Castro(2.50) or Ibrahimaj(4.00)

Kristiansund v Start (Home Win)

Kristiansund picked up a great win at Viking last week with that late winner scored by centre half Dan Peter Ulvestad. It was their second win in a row, which has seen them turn a run of 6 games without a win, into 4 unbeaten.

Start on the other hand come in to this one off the back of a 5-0 hammering at Molde. They had picked up their first win last weekend with a very good win over struggling Mjøndalen. Toennessen, Schulze and Skålevik got the goals in a 3-0 triumph, their first win of the season.

This will be another tough test for Start, and one which I can see them struggling in. This will be the third promoted side KBK have played at home this year, beating Sandefjord 3-1 and Aalesund 7-2, so they will be hoping for more of that.

Start have played 6, lost four and drawn 2 on the road so far, and they have failed to keep a clean sheet yet, so although they will try and keep it tight, they are likely to lose goals. Start have lost 2-0 and 4-0 in the second half in their last two away games, KBK have won 3-0 and 2-0 in the 2nd halves of their last two games, so maybe something to look at, as I think first half might be tight.

One thing to look at is corners, there is usually a lot in Start games, 10 of the 13 have had at least 9 corners. Similar for Kristiansund, with 9 of the 12 having at least 9 corners in the game. They tend to concede plenty, with at least 4 in 9 of the 12 games.

Bet Builder: 10+ corners in the game, KBK to win 2nd half(2.64)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Pellegrino(2.00), Bye(2.50) or Skålevik(3.25)

Mjøndalen v Haugesund (Draw)

Mjøndalen made it 6 defeats in a row last weekend when they lost 3-0 to give Start their first win of the season. It is really worrying for the club from Drammen as they have now slid to second bottom of the table. Struggling to score goals, and now not looking defensively solid, they have to turn things around soon.

As for Haugesund, it was a really good win over Stabæk at home, and it was a hattrick from one of my favourite players in the league, Kristoffer Velde. A goal with each foot then a late penalty taking his tally to four for the season, and now I hope he will push on.

This game definitely has the makings of a low scoring affair, and a 0-0 is certainly not going to be a surprise if it happens. Both teams have 10 goals in the 12 game so far, the joint lowest total in the league. 

Mjøndalen have failed to score in three games in a row now, Haugesund have failed to score in 5 of their last 7 games, so it is clear where the problem is for these two teams.

There might be value in Haugesund corners. They have hit at least 5 corners in 9 of the last 10 games, and out of these two teams they will certainly be the ones likely to do most attacking.

Tough game to call, but low scoring, either team to steal it by a goal in a dull affair is the likely outcome. No value in betting under goals because the bookies know these two don't score goals.

Bet Builder: Haugesund to hit 5 or more corners, Haugesund win/draw double chance(2.60)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Velde(4.75), Brochmann(4.00) or no goalscorer(8.50)

Stabæk v Odd (Draw)

Stabæk were disappointing against Haugesund off the back of being the first team to take points off of Glimt. Emil Bohinen scored a penalty in what was a 3-1 defeat, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Odd are now in third place and are looking really good at this point in the season. Five wins out of the last six now, and their latest was a good win over Rosenborg, deservedly beating them 2-1 at home. Goals came from Kasper Lunding and Elbasan Rashani as they held off a late Rosenborg push to get back in the game.

This should be a good game between two teams who prefer to play on the front foot. Both have young teams with lots of energy and I am expecting goals in this one. Both teams have had 7 out of 12 games go for over 2.5 goals, and the ones that haven't have generally been against the same opposition(eg. Sarpsborg, Mjøndalen).

Definitely expecting both teams to score and this game to be well worth watching, probably my choice for Sunday evening. Odd have won 3 out of their 5 away games, and Stabæk have failed to win at home in the last three attempts, so really good value in the away side, although will be a close game I feel.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score, over 2.5 goals (2.37)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Botheim(3.00), Hansen(4.75) or Kitolano(5.50)

Strømsgodset v Sandefjord(Home Win)

Godset were perhaps a little unlucky in losing at Glimt on Sunday, eventually running out 3-2 losers after twice coming from a goal behind to level things. Moses Mawa got another goal, that is now 4 for the season for the 24 year old winger. 

As for Sandefjord, they picked up a surprise but crucial win at home to champions Molde. 1-0 down and seemingly struggling to get a foothold in the game, they have Molde's Fredrik Sjølstad to thank for first slipping to let Rufo get an equaliser, then getting sent off late in the first half. 

A late Marc Vales penalty giving them their third win in five games, all at home.

This will be a tough one for Sandefjord though, who are finding it tough away from home. Five defeats in a row shows they are far more comfortable at their home ground. 

Godset are not in great form, but they are playing far better now than they were at the start of the season, and I think their high pressure game will come to fruition against Sandefjord. Their last home game was a 3-1 victory over Brann, and I am expecting more of the same here.

I can't see anything other than a home win here, but Sandefjord have scored now in their last six games, so it is possible they can continue that streak, even if it is in defeat. They have concede at least 2 goals in their last 5 away games, all defeats as I said, so will be backing Godset for goals.

Bet Builder: Strømsgodset to win and to score 2 or more goals(2.25)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Mawa(2.75), Salvesen(2.40) or Celorrio(4.00)

Rosenborg v Sarpsborg (Home Win)

Rosenborg lost 2-1 against Odd on Sunday night to continue a poor run of away results. That is 3 on the road without a win, against Start, Haugesund, and then Odd. Home is where they have been happiest though, as they have won their last 3 games at Lerkendal, unbeaten in 4 since being beaten by runaway leaders Glimt.

It was Carlo Holse who got the goal last weekend, as Børven struggles to get any scoring opportunities, still getting used to a new team.

Sarpbsorg hammered Aalesund 4-0 at home, an excellent second half performance with all goals scored then. Jørgen Strand Larsen wasn't on the score sheet, but he showed his quality up top again. It was teenager Ismaila Coulibaly who continues to impress in midfield, he opened the scoring on Sunday, and he looks like one to watch for the future.

This week I feel Sarpsborg might not find it so easy, they lost their last away trip to Viking 3-0, so far 3 defeats in 5 away trips, only Sandefjord they have managed to beat.

Rosenborg as I said have won their last 3, two of them 3-0, against Viking and Strømsgodset, and also a narrow win over Sandefjord. I can see more home comforts for RBK this week as they continue to look for some momentum and attacking patterns, and still search a new manager.

Sarpsborg are quite defensive usually, only 5 of their 12 games going for 3 or more goals, so they will try and keep it tight, but Rosenborg will keep coming, and they have been creating more chances recently than at the start of the season.

RBK do concede plenty corners at home, often when they scrambling in defence. Only Sandefjord have failed to hit at least 5 against them at Lerkendal. 

All I can see in this game though, is a home win, and Sarpsborg don't have a good record in Trondheim.

Bet Builder: Rosenborg to win, Sarpsborg 4+ corners (3.50)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Børven(2.40), Helland(3.50) or Zachariassen(4.33)

Monday 10th August

Molde v Brann(Home Win)

Molde bounced back from Sandefjord defeat with a midweek 5-0 hammering of Start on Wednesday night. It was a classic Molde display, solid enough first half, went in 1-0 up, then turned on the afterburners in the second half. 

Substitutes made a big difference as Brynhildsen scored twice, and Eikrem came back from injury to score and assist. Leke James missed the game through illness, but should be ok on Monday. Omoijuanfo scored two from the spot in his place as Molde show they can score goals from so many different sources.

Brann had a really bad week, their 2-1 defeat at home to Vålerenga meant that Lars Arne Nielsen was relieved of his duties as manager after five years in charge. It is five games without a win for Brann, and they sit in eighth place in the table with just four wins so far.

Molde have played 6 won 6 at home, and there is no reason to suggest it won't be 7 out of 7 after Monday. 5-0, 4-1 and 5-0 are their three last results at home, so it could be a long game for Brann.

One thing to note is their strength in the second half. they have 7 goals in the first half, and 14 in the second half at home. A lot of this is to do with squad strength and the quality they can bring off of the bench. They have scored in every game in the second half this season, and in four out of six, they have at least 3 goals when playing at home in the second half.

Brann on the other hand, have scored 1 goal in total in the second half of the last four away games. Definitely worth a look at second half form here.

Also, Molde concede plenty corners despite dominating games, so Brann corners could be well priced. Another thing worth noting is Vegard Forren left Molde this year after he had been caught taking money from the players fine kitty, because he had a gambling problem. There is definitely some beef here, so look out for him to get booked.

Bet Builder: Molde to win, 2+ goals in the second half for Molde(3.10)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Eikrem(2.10), Brynhildsen(2.30) or Koomson(4.50)

My Bets of the Weekend

Viking over 1.5 goals and both teams to score (2.05)

Rosenborg to win (1.95)

Strømsgodset to win (1.83)

Stabæk/Odd over 2.5 goals (2.05) NAP

Molde 2+ second half goals (2.75)