Eliteserien reaches the halfway stage this weekend with gameweek 15, as Bodø/Glimt remain unbeaten and could complete the cycle of going unbeaten against all other teams with a home game against Start.
Molde play Odd in what is without doubt the game of the weekend as 3rd visit 2nd, Odd having the chance to go level on points with the champions, who dropped yet more points last weekend.
With the Champions League final on this Sunday, seven games will be played on Saturday, and the remaining fixture taking place on Monday night.
Saturday 22nd August
Molde v Odd (Home Win)
Last week we witnessed Molde losing for the 4th time in the last 6 games as they lost out to Sarpsborg 2-1. It was another frustrating game for the defending champions, missing several good chances, giving away another penalty, and failing to come back from being behind.
It was Ulland Andersen that got their goal in defeat, but they have since bounced back with an easy 5-0 win over KuPS in the Champions League qualifiers this Wednesday.
Odd are the form team in the league in the last 8 games, winning 7 of them. Only Sarpsborg have taken points from them, six games ago now. Last week it was Kristiansund that they dispatched, winning 2-1 at home, goals coming from Bakenga and the impressive young winger Kasper Lunding.
Coming three days after a European game, this has the look of a tough game for Molde again, but one where they definitely still go in as favourites. This has been a tough game for Molde in recent times, they have failed to beat Odd in the last 4 games, 3 score draws and a 1-0 defeat in Molde.
It is a game I am expecting goals in, as Molde have only had one game this season with fewer than three goals in it, and Odd obviously come in full of confidence with the run they are on.
It is a real test for this Odd side though. It is a fairly young team, with bits of experience in important areas, the teenager Kitolano in midfield looks like a top quality player, and it will be good to see him go up against Aursnes.
Hussain is suspended for this one, it will be the first game he misses this season in midfield, and they still have problems in defense with injuries as has been the case all season, so more reason to expect goals against Molde.
No such worries for Odd, and good news is that Bakenga has scored in his last two games as well, which is important for the club as they need him to score goals in the absence of Lauritsen and with Børven departed.
I fancy Molde might just be good enough to win this one at home, but I certainly see goals for both teams and a very interesting game at Aker Stadium. Despite losing four games, they have scored in every game so far Molde, so expect that to continue.
Bet Builder: Both teams to Score and Molde to win either half(2.05)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Leke James(2.3), Kasper Lunding(5.5) or Eirik Hestad(4.5)
Aalesund v Haugesund (Draw)
Aalesund went to Lerkendal on Sunday night and showed glimpses of quality as they tried to upset Rosenborg. But in the end it was another 3 goals conceded in a 3-2 defeat. A positive note was the two goals from Holmbert Fridjonsson, taking his tally for the season to 10 now.
Haugesund continued their up and down season with a 3-2 of their own. A home defeat against Strømsgodset was particularly painful after getting a late equaliser, only to give away an even later winner.
Amitzbøll and then an own goal had pulled them back from 2 goals down, so it will hurt to lose out after showing good fight.
This game is a battle between the worst defense in the league against the worst attack statistically. Haugesund have only 12 goals in the league so far, Aalesund in comparison have 20 despite being bottom of the table. At the other end though, 43 conceded in 14 games makes shocking reading, and no sign it will stop this weekend.
Haugesund have conceded less than half the goals Aalesund have, but this is a game both teams will fancy their chances of victory, and as a result, I'm hoping for an attacking game.
Aalesund have scored and conceded in every home game so far this season, so hopefully that continues, and I do like some of the attacking talent that Haugesund have despite their struggles. Sandberg, Velde and Wadji should all have goals in them, although it has certainly taken Wadji some time to get up to speed after his year long suspension.
It is a game I could see going either way, but I think goals, and with it being an important game for both at the bottom, maybe worth looking at the home side to hit plenty corners.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals(1.95)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Fridjonnson(2.3), Velde(3.75) or Castro(3.6)
Bodø/Glimt v Start (Home Win)
Glimt come into this game still unbeaten and 7 points clear at the top of the table thanks to a battling 2-1 win at Sandefjord last weekend. It was probably their least convincing display of the season, but goals from Victor Boniface and Ulrik Saltnes gave them their 12th win in 14 games.
Start picked up their second win of the season with a last minute winner against Vålerenga on Monday night. It was Eirik Schulze who got both goals in the game, his form has been a real plus in recent weeks for the club from Kristiansand.
This week it looks likely that Victor Boniface will continue up top, with Kasper Junker still struggling with a knee injury. Apart from that there are no new concerns, and keeper Smit might return in nets this week too.
Glimt have won every home game this year, six out of six, with 21 goals scored and 6 against. No doubt more goals are expected this weekend, at least two in every game they have played so far.
Start have had some solid displays, but worryingly the games they played against the other top clubs, Molde and Odd, have resulted in 5-0 defeats. I can see them getting a goal this weekend because Glimt concede in most game, only two clean sheets, but it will be tough for Start if they go behind early.
Only Molde have kept Start out in the previous 5 games, so looking for them to score, but also might be value in corners for the away side. Glimt have conceded 4 in the last 4 games, Start are better than evens to hit 4, something they have done in 10 of their 14 games this season.
I can't see passed a home win here though, and Glimt scoring at least 3 goals with their attacking options and pace causing proving too good for Start. Boniface starting up top in this attacking time is a really good price to score as well.
Bet Builder: Glimt to score in both halves and both teams to score(2.15)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Boniface(2.2), Hauge(1.95) or Schulze(5.5)
Kristiansund v Sarpsborg (Home Win)
Kristiansund lost 2-1 at Odd last week in their first defeat after a run of 5 unbeaten. There was another goal for Amahl Pellegrino, from the spot this time, taking him to 11 for the season and joint top of the scoring charts with Junker.
Sarpsborg picked up that huge win over Molde, a really good performance from Jørgen Strand Larsen caught my eye. He won a penalty with a great run, scored by Mos, and then Halvorsen scored a nice goal coming in on to his left foot from the right hand side.
Sarpsborg's away form is a concern for them, 4 defeats in 6, just the 1 win that came over Sandefjord. Kristiansund are better at home, losing only once, that against Stabæk. They have scored 3 times in their previous two home games, and goals have been present in most Kristiansund games.
Two 0-0 draws aside, there have been goals for both teams in all of the other Kristiansund games, and at home they have scored 16 and conceded 9 in the 6 home games they have had so far.
We can definitely expect goals for both teams here, Sarpsborg have been improving steadily throughout the season and have a set team now and play some nice football through midfield.
I fancy Kristiansund based on their home form in particular to bounce back after last weeks loss. They won this fixture 4-0 last season, but I expect it will be close this time around, likely a 2-1.
Another thing maybe worth looking at is 4 Sarpsborg corners. Kristiansund have conceded at least 4 in 10 of their 14 games, Sarpsborg have hit 4 in 11 of their games, so will probably be nicely priced and worth putting on a bet builder. Also in 10 of 14 games, both have had at least 9 corners in their matches.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score and 9+ match corners (2.14)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Pellegrino(2.1), Mos Abdellaoue(2.88) or Bendik Bye(3.0)
Strømsgodset v Viking (Home Win)
Godset picked up that big win at Haugesund last week, a last minute Salvesen goal giving them the win, set up neatly by Maigaard, who had scored previously. Johan Hove got the other one as they continued a decent scoring run that has seem them score 11 goals in the last 4 games.
Viking continue to disappoint with results, as they now haven't won in 4 games and sit 14th in the table. They came back from 2-0 down at home to Stabæk last weekend, but lost a late equaliser to draw 3-3. Another two goals from in form Veton Berisha, taking him to 5 in the last 3 games, 7 in total.
The other goal was from Bytyqi, and goals have not been a problem for Viking either, so this game should have goals in it.
Godset and Viking have the 2nd and 3rd worst defensive records in the league, but both are in the top half for goals scored, and that should mean a nice open game in this one.
Both teams have had 10 of their games go for over 2.5 goals, and Godset have had 4 of their home games go for over 3.5 goals, including their previous 3.
I'm expecting an attacking end to end encounter, and with that come corners as well, so could be looking at that here. The previous 8 games for Viking and 7 games for Godset have had at least 9 corners, so I will be adding that to my bet builder.
I fancy Godset to win since they are at home, but any result wouldn't surprise me, as long as there are plenty goals.
Bet Builder: over 2.5 goals, both teams to score and 9+ corners (2.37)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Salvesen(3.0), Mawa(2.88) or Berisha(2.6)
Vålerenga v Sandefjord (Home Win)
Vålerenga lost out to Start on Monday night with that late goal, a really disappointing result for the Oslo side. They had gotten level in the game through Benjamin Stokke, who just turned 30 this week.
Sandefjord have been really impressive in recent weeks, winning games over Molde and Strømsgodset, and last week they lost narrowly to Glimt. Their goal in the game came from Sivert Gussiås who continues to improve and looks a real goal threat. The 21 year old has 5 goals now in his first season as an Eliteserien regular.
Vålerenga are unbeaten at home this season, 3 wins and 3 draws. Their latest was a draw with Glimt and this game I fancy them to get back to winning ways. They have only failed to find the net in one game this season, a 0-0 draw at Kristiansund, and so we can expect them to score.
Sandefjord also are on a good run of scoring form, eight games in a row now they have found the net, and given Vålerenga have conceded in their previous four games, I think both teams to score here is pretty likely.
Centre back Marc Vales is suspended for this one for Sandefjord, he could well be missed, and I do think that Aron Dønnum and Osame Sahraoui will be creating plenty chances for Stokke.
The home side are quite a short price to win, probably too short, considering the form of Sandefjord, but I do fancy them to get a win over a side that has lost 5 of their 7 away games. Best to look at goals in this one for both teams.
Two teams that average over 2.5 yellow cards a game, with Rohit Saggi as referee, this one is a recipe for yellow cards, and no surprises if a red one pops up.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score and Vålerenga to win either half(2.25)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Stokke(2.75), Gussiås(3.75) or Vilhjalmsson(2.5)
Mjøndalen v Rosenborg (Draw)
Mjøndalen picked up their second win on the bounce with a classic smash and grab 1-0 win away at Brann. They defended well and scored an 85th minute winner through Andreas Hellum.
Rosenborg kept up their good home form with a 3-2 win against Aalesund. Star man for the day was Dino Islamovic, grabbing two goals and looking far more lively than he has previously. Carlo Holse continues to impress on the right wing, he set up Zachariassen for the other goal.
Away form has been the issue for RBK, and this week has seen the confirmation of a new manager to try and resolve that. Åge Hareide has agreed terms to come in on the 1st of September, the former Denmark manager back in Trondheim for his second spell. He lasted only 1 season in 2003 before taking up the Norway job.
They have won twice, but lost three times on the road in their six games so far, and this represents a test of their attacking quality against a stubborn Mjøndalen.
I won't be expecting many goals, only Glimt have managed to score more than 2 goals at Mjøndalen, that includes the home side themselves, who haven't scored more than 2 in any game this season, except against Aalesund away in a 3-1 win.
Rosenborg will be keen to impress the incoming manager, but this will be a tough one for them and they are tough to back at odds against. It will be a tight game, and likely that Mjøndalen will sit in with their back 5 and make it difficult to break down.
A set piece goal could well be where the game is opened up, so Islamovic, Hovland or maybe Reginiussen could be likely scorers. Expecting Rosenborg to get plenty corners as they try and open up Mjøndalen.
Bet Builder: Under 4 goals in the match and Rosenborg to hit 5+ corners (2.10)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Islamovic(2.63), Zacahriassen(3.75) or Reginiussen(12.0)
Monday 24th August
Stabæk v Brann (Draw)
Stabæk led 2-0 at Viking last weekend, but they had to come from behind in the end to snatch a draw thanks to Kinoshita. It was Magnus Lundal and Emil Bohinen that had them 2-0 up in the first half before giving up their lead.
Brann were disappointed to lose against Mjøndalen, and in truth their home form has been the biggest problem.
Actually Stabæk have won only two games at home, they have identical home and away records. Brann have won three on the road, better than their home form. So it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if the away side managed to pick something up here.
I think it should be a relatively open game, both sides will be looking to win, and both score and concede goals at the same rate almost. Everything points to an even game between two mid table sides that are inconsistent.
Both of these teams have only won 1 of their last 7 games, so they need to win or they risk being dragged in to the bottom half of the table.
I'm a big fan of Vetlesen and Bohinen in the Stabæk midfield, they are both top young players, and they also have Lundal, Hansen, Botheim and Edvardsen that are all 21 or under. This young team are energetic, but not surprisingly a little hard to predict.
I personally think both teams will score in this one, but I'm not sure which way it will go, and I don't think it will be a high scoring affair. Only two Stabæk home games have had more than two goals, a 2-2 draw with Glimt, and a 3-0 defeat by Rosenborg.
Maybe corners could be something to look at, all of the previous 5 games for Brann have had 10 or more, and 4 of the previous 5 Stabæk games have too. So worth putting that in the bet builders.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score and 9+ corners in the match (2.42)
Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Hansen(4.2), Kinoshita(3.4) or Bamba(3.0)
My Bets of the week in Eliteserien
Aalesund to score in the FH against Haugesund (2.1)
Odd to score in the FH against Molde (2.1)
BTTS Double Molde/Odd and Strømsgodset/Viking (1.98) NB
BTTS and over 2.5 goals in Aalesund v Haugesund (1.95) NAP
Rosenborg to hit 6+ corners (2.00)
No comments:
Post a Comment