Gameweek 20 Preview

 Gameweek 20 in Eliteserien as, you have guessed it, Bodø/Glimt remain unbeaten. Just two draws and 17 wins this season, can they go the 30 game season without defeat?

In European action this week we saw the end of Molde's Champions League hopes as they lost on away goals after a 0-0 draw in Ferencvaros, and now drop to Europa League. Rosenborg were beaten by PSV, so only Molde will fly the Norwegian flag.

Elsewhere, Jens Petter Hauge left Glimt to sign for AC Milan in the transfer of the week. A well deserved move after an incredible season for the youngster.

Eight games over two days this weekend before a break for internationals, lets take a look at what we have in the preview.

Saturday 3rd October

Sarpsborg v Stabæk (Draw)

Sarpsborg played out a 0-0 with Strømsgodset last weekend to gain a decent point on the road in a pretty uninspiring game. Sarpborg had no shots on target, but it was a pretty even game in truth.

Stabæk meanwhile picked up an important win at home to Start, just their second win in 10 matches. It lifted them up to 8th, and 10 points clear of Start in the relegation playoff spot. Second half goals from substitutes Kassi and Kinoshita gave them a deserved 2-0 win.

This week has seen some increased speculation that Emil Bohinen could be on his way out of the club in this transfer window, but nothing confirmed just yet. He would be a big loss in midfield, although he has a small injury that is keeping him out just now anyway.

This game has the makings of a low scoring affair in Sarpsborg on Saturday, although Stabæk have been struggling away from home recently in defense. They have conceded 10 goals in the last four matches combined, but Sarpsborg have only scored more than two at home once all season, that was against Aalesund.

The home form has been solid for Sarpsborg, winning 5 of their last 7, but Stabæk have been drawing a lot of games on the road, 3 of the previous 5, so this is a tough game to call.

It will probably be a tight game with few goals, similar to the 1-1 draw back in July in Stabæk. Stabæk have signed striker Marcus Antonsson from Malmo this week, the former Blackburn and Leeds player is likely to come straight in and he has talent. Could he make a difference on his debut?

Tough to find angles on this one, the corner market is tough to predict, although Sarpsborg have had more corners in their previous four games than the opposition, meanwhile in 8 of 10 games Stabæk have had fewer, so maybe a corner match bet could play here.

No result would surprise me, the only thing that would is lots of goals, with Sarpsborg going for a fourth clean sheet in a row.

Bet Builder: Under 3.5 goals, 8+ corners in match, Sarpsborg Win/Draw Double Chance (2.30)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Abdellaoue (2.30), Kornelius Hansen (5.50) or Heintz (4.00)

Vålerenga v Mjøndalen (Home Win)

Vålerenga were perhaps a little unlucky in losing 2-0 at Glimt last week as they missed a host of really good opportunities. Kjartansson was the main culprit, twice missing one on ones, and also angling wide a cross fired across the box. 

Mjøndalen lost again, this time at home to Viking, to make it 12 out of the 14 defeats. An awful record that has them in 15th place in the league, somehow still in touch with Start above them.

The home side are huge favourites understandably, they are unbeaten at home in nine games, with six wins. Their last home outing was a 2-1 win over Molde, and before that the 5-1 hammering of Brann. Both those games they have been ahead at the break and not looked like losing.

Mjøndalen have not only been losing games, they have been losing them early and not fighting back. They have four goals in 10 games, and out of the 12 defeats they have been behind in 9 of them at half time. So they aren't losing games late and being unlucky.

Kjartansson will be very keen to redeem himself after last week, and I expect he will score this week, and Vålerenga usually score goals at home, only once have they failed to score at least two.

Again it is hard to find positives for Mjøndalen, even when they defend in numbers they concede clear chances, and it is impossible to see how they can stop Vålerenga this week. Dønnum is suspended for the home side, but they have plenty quality to create and I am sure they will.

They are in the race for second place, just two points back, and with Rosenborg playing Odd on Sunday, this gives Vålerenga extra motivation to go out and get the job done.

Bet Builder: Vålerenga 2+ goals, Vålerenga to win first half (2.25)

Goalscorers to add to Bet builder: Kjartansson (1.83), Bjørdal (4.33) or Shala (3.00)

Sunday 4th October

Aalesund v Kristiansund (Away Win)

Aalesund lost out last week at home to Rosenborg 1-2, and in truth they were quite unlucky. Sigurd Haugen got the home sides goal, and he looked lively and will be hoping to score some more before the end of the season.

Kristiansund drew 1-1 at home to Brann, Amahl Pellegrino scored again, number 20 of the season, but they couldn't hang on for the win. 

The last time these sides met it ended up 7-2 for Kristiansund, but I don't think we will see quite as many goals this time, although I do think it will be a good game with both sides going for a win.

Both teams are likely to score, KBK have scored and conceded in 9 of their previous 10 games. Aalesund were slightly better last week, and they have scored twice in a row now, after a bit of time settling in to a new manager.

The home side have one win all season, and I think with Kristiansund pushing for the top 4 spots, they will be too good for Aalesund. It should be a decent game, and it should result in plenty corners for both sides with the amount of cross balls that come in. 

At least 8 match corners is pretty likely, Aalesund matches average nearly 11 at home, same as KBK away.

Pellegrino to score for an 8th consecutive game is also most probable, he is in incredible scoring form, and doesn't miss his penalties either.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score, 8+ match corners, Kristiansund to win either half (2.40)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Pellegrino (1.72), Haugen (3.40) or Moumbagna (2.20)

Bodø/Glimt v Sandefjord (Home win)

The main headline this week was JP Hauge going to AC Milan, but now attention turns to Glimt remaining unbeaten, and this home game against Sandefjord can't be taken lightly.

Last week they beat Vålerenga 2-0, goals from Zinckernagel and Junker, the first from Junker set up beautifully by Hauge on is last appearance. Hauge did miss a second half penalty, but it didn't matter on this occasion.

Sandefjord became the latest team to beat Molde, completing the double over them with a 1-0 win in Molde. There were several changes in the Molde team, but the away side got ahead early through captain Marc Vales, and they held on with Molde playing poorly.

Glimt are obviously massive favourites, although in the reverse fixture Sandefjord played well and Glimt only just squeezed out a 1-2 win. Losing Hauge is a blow, but Zinckernagel and Junker will be out to show they can do it without him. Boniface is suspended, so it will be Junker up top for sure.

Goals is obviously expected, last week the first time all season a Glimt game has had fewer than 3 goals. At home they average 3.89 goals a game and I can definitely see them getting a few here.

Zinckernagel will now be on penalties with Hauge gone, so something to note for future games too.

Sandefjord are not as free scoring obviously, only once have they scored more than 2 goals this season in their 19 games.

So no surprises expected here, although Sandefjord might be able to keep the score down to fewer than the 6 that Start, Odd, Aalesund and Haugesund have all shipped against the Glimt machine.

Bet Builder: Glimt to score in both halves, over 3.5 goals (2.00)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Saltnes (3.10), Bjørkan (6.00) or Zinckernagel (1.72)

Brann v Molde (Away Win)

Brann picked up that draw in Kristiansund last time out, but they are not in great form, just 2 wins in 12 games. Bamba got the goal for them, he has missed so many chances this year, and is also being very greedy at times, as his teammates get more and more frustrated with him.

Molde meanwhile are in freefall in the league after another defeat last time out makes it 6 in 8 games. They have been concentrating on the Champions League, but they fell at the final playoff on Tuesday, unlucky to lose on away goals against Fernecvaros.

Now they can get back to concentrating on the league, and I think with 5 days rest they can put out a strong team and put in a better display. Bjørnbak and Gregersen, two important defenders are both back from injury, and they could have a part to play.

The team still looks good on paper, and I think now they have to make sure they get their form back, or they risk not being in Europe at all next season.

Brann have not won at home since the 12th of July, and this will be a tough matchup for them. Molde will dominate possession, and if they take their chances they will win the game, and they are a good price to do so.

Last week was the first game all season Molde have failed to score, so they should get back in the goals this week. Brann have scored in their last four games, but only one goal in each.

Brann have hit at least 5 corners in 6 of 7 home games, and Molde also hit plenty, at least 6 in 6 of their last 7. 

It's a gut feeling pick this one, but I like Molde to win this one, and I will be backing them at a big price.

Bet Builder: Molde 2+ goals, 9+ match corners (2.30)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: James (2.10), Hestad (2.50) or Grøgaard (12.00)

Start v Haugesund (Draw)

Last week saw Start lose out at Stabæk and they are yet to record an away win all season, picking up just two points on the road. They have managed three wins at home, coming all in a row before losing two weeks ago at home to Kristiansund.

Haugesund played out a crazy 4-4 draw at home to Odd last weekend, scoring three late goals to salvage a point after being behind 4-1 with 86 minutes on the clock. Kone and Ammitzbøll both scored in injury time after an own goal had got one back.

All this after Haugesund had taken an early lead with a Fredriksen header. A crazy game, and four goals for Haugesund a real rare occurrence after scoring 19 in the 18 games previous.

Start are far better at home than away clearly, and this game is massive for them. Seven points behind Haugesund, they need to win, and the away side will be needing to avoid defeat.

It could be a nervy encounter, and I don't expect anything like the goals that happened in Haugesund last weekend.

The previous 7 Start home games have had fewer than four goals, so I think we can expect more of the same. Haugesund have scored only 7 goals on the road, so they really don't create enough chances. This is two teams without a win in their last 3, and both will be worried about losing this important game.

Bet Builder: Under 3.5 goals, Start win/draw double chance (2.05)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Kone (3.40), Skålevik (2.75) or Velde (4.33)

Viking v Strømsgodset (Home Win)

Viking have shown incredible form recently, and last weeks win over Mjøndalen was their 5th on the bounce, unbeaten in 7 total. Last week they fell behind but fought back through the familiar source of Zymer Bytyqi. He scored the equaliser, then it was a first of the year for Tommy Høiland, the striker has not played a lot, but they might need him if Berisha is injured. He had to go off at half time last weekend.

Strømsgodset are worryingly being dragged into relegation trouble, just one place above the playoff spot. They do have a 7 point margin, although four draws in a row, and no wins in 5 shows the form they are in. After not having a 0-0 all season previously, they have now had two in a row, after Sandefjord last week, it was Sarpsborg this week.

They didn't create much last week Godset, Mawa and Hove with the best chances, but this week I expect goals. Let's put those two weeks to a blip, because Godset have scored 26 this year, more than anyone else in the bottom half.

Viking have 36 goals, but they have conceded 36 as well, and add to that the 35 Godset have conceded, we should see goals here.

Nothing has really changed with the way Strømsgodset play, they are still pressing high and working hard, so I think they will be able to score a goal here, but will find it hard to keep Viking out. Viking have scored 15 goals in 4 games, so they are bang on goalscoring form.

Although I fancy Viking to win again, they are a very short price that I wouldn't back, given their defensive issues. Add to that if Berisha doesn't make the game, he is a big miss in the striker role.

Corners is worth looking at here, in 11 of the last 12 games, both of these teams matches have had at least 9 corners. In the reverse fixture there were 19 corners, 8 for Godset, 11 for Viking.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score, Viking 2+ goals, 9+ corners in the match (2.87)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Bytyqi (3.00), Hove (4.00) or Ibrahimaj (3.60)

Rosenborg v Odd (Draw)

The final game of the weekend on Sunday night sees Rosenborg entertain Odd, as 2nd plays 3rd. Joint on points, one of these clubs could take a big step towards the 2nd place position in the final table.

Last week Rosenborg had Zachariassen to thank for his two goals that saw them passed Aalesund. They unfortunately couldn't follow it up with a win in Europe, as PSV came to town and beat them 2-0 to end their hopes of joining Molde in the Europa League.

Odd threw away two points with their collapse against Haugesund, but they are in good form still and will fancy their chances here. Goals from Simovic, Ruud, and a duble for Bakenga had them in command, and they will be disappointed they collapsed.

This for me is a tough game to call, although with Rosenborg playing on Thursday night, it gives Odd a slight advantage. The bookies have Rosenborg as clear favourites, but this is a 50/50 game. The reverse fixture was 2-1 to Odd, and they deserved it too.

I think we will see goals here, Rosenborg have scored and conceded in 7 out of 8 games, meanwhile Odd have only failed to score in one of the last 8, and that was in Molde, a game they missed some really good chances in.

RBK are good at home, they have lost just the once, early on against Glimt, but they are usually better in the second half, and Odd have scored in the first half of 8 out of the last 10 games. So I fancy an early Odd goal.

Torgeir Børven lasted about four months with RBK. Last years top scorer for Odd in Eliteserien has moved to Ankaragucu in Turkey, so there will be no reunion for him.

Odd have good energy and speed in attack, and that could cause trouble. The midfield battle will be interesting, and I think Kitolano, Hoff and Kaasa could have the legs and quality to trouble Rosenborg.

Tough to call a winner, but I certainly wouldn't back the home team at even money. One thing to look for is corners though. Rosenborg games usually always have plenty, with at least 9 in the previous 10 games.

Bet Builder: 9+ corners, Both teams to score (2.15)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Zacahriassen (3.75), Rashani (3.25) or Ruud (4.50)

Eliteserien Bets of the Week

Vålerenga HT/FT (2.05) NAP

Odd to score in FH v Rosenborg (2.20)

Molde to win v Brann (2.30)

OBOS bet of the weekend

Sandnes ULF to score 2+ goals v Grorud (1.83)