Three games to go in Eliteserien and still some things are undecided at the top and the bottom. With Odd having two games cancelled this week due to Covid, they now need to play five more games in the two weeks we have left of the season.
Molde look nailed on for second place now, but the race for 3rd and 4th European spots could still be any two from Rosenborg, Vålerenga, Odd, Kristiansund and Viking.
At the bottom it was another bad weekend for Strømsgodset who have lost five in a row and will battle it out with Start and Mjøndalen to see who goes down, who is in the playoff and who stays up.
This weekend we have six games on Sunday, followed by one game on Monday, with Odd still unable to play until Wednesday.
Unfortunately I didn't have the time to do a gameweek 27 preview, as those midweek games were played on Wednesday night, but lets take a look back at what was a very successful weekend for me on the blog.
Gameweek 26 Review
I only provided two bets but both were winners at the weekend.
Glimt to win v Rosenborg (1.90)
Molde and Brann win Double (2.02)
Added to that was 5/7 successful bet builders, including all four of the 1800 games that kicked off on Sunday. A very nice four fold paying around 36/1 on that, which made for a nice weekend all in all.
Sunday 6th December
Bodø/Glimt v Stabæk (Home win)
Glimt hammered Rosenborg on Sunday 5-1 with a ruthless display and some ruthless tweeting by the official Glimt twitter post game. After Rosenborg gave Glimt a guard of honour pre match, Glimt put five passed them with Junker, Solbakken, Zinckernagel, Møberg and Konradsen all getting one each. The Glimt twitter promptly thanked RBK for standing pre match, but said they shouldn't have kept it up for the full game.
Glimt then went away to Start on Wednesday night, and the longest trip south all season resulted in probably their worst display. A 1-1 draw in Kristiansand, the first time all season Glimt have failed to score at least two goals in any game.
Stabæk have had two tight games, first they beat Mjøndalen with a first minute goal from Bohinen making the difference. They then drew 1-1 with Vålerenga, as Marcus Antonsson finally got off the mark for the club after his summer loan from Malmø.
Interestingly this game is a big one for Glimt, as Stabæk are the final team in Norway this season that Glimt have not beaten, after a 2-2 draw away from home at the end of July. They also just need one point to beat the Molde points record, and I am certain with three games left, 100 goals is on their mind, so far they have 91.
So this could be a tough one for Stabæk, Junker is still chasing Pellegrino as well for the top scorer, and he looks keen to catch up, taking the penalty against Start that Zinckernagel would usually be on.
Obviously we expect goals, at least two from Glimt, back to their normal. But Stabæk do pose a threat, with Antonsson getting his first goal, and Edvardsen looks really lively now as well. Another thing to watch for here is Vetlesen against his old club, he will be very interested in scoring and should be in the box more often than usual.
I can only see a Glimt win here, and I have a feeling with Stabæk mid table and nothing to play for, it could be a big win as Glimt chase the 100.
Bet Builder: Glimt to score in both halves, over 3.5 match goals (2.60)
Goalscorers: Solbakken (3.00), Vetlesen (3.00) or Edvardsen (4.00)
Brann v Sarpsborg (Draw)
Brann all but confirmed they will be safe this season with an easy 3-1 win over Aalesund at the weekend, a dismal season but they can now rebuild for next year. A hattrick from Daouda Bamba taking him on to 10 for the season. I talked about him having the highest xG in the league, so it was about time he produced.
They then promptly lost 2-0 at Viking in a game that looked like they knew they had secured safety at the weekend. It will be interesting now to see how they react against Sarpsborg.
Sarpsborg themselves are six points clear of the relegation playoff spot, but could do with one more win to make sure. They lost a late goal at Vålerenga on Sunday to draw 1-1, then followed it up with a 1-1 draw at home to Kristiansund. Dyrestam was red carded in the first half with score 0-1, so they did well to fight back with ten men, and pick up a valuable point.
This game then still has meaning for the away side in particular, and I do think a draw would suit both parties. Although in saying that, Sarpsborg winning would basically guarantee safety. So they won't be sitting back like they did at Vålerenga, and I can see both teams scoring in this one as a result.
Dyrestam is out and he is a big miss at the back, and they still have injury issues up top. So it might not be an easy afternoon for them, but I can see them getting something from the game because of them needing it more than Brann.
Bamba will be keen to finish the season well with goals, and Brann who have won only 3 times at home all year will be keen to put on a show for their fans.
Also only two Brann home games have both teams failed to score, a 1-0 defeat to Mjøndalen and 3-0 win over Viking in the first game.
Only two Brann home games all year have had fewer than nine corners, so something else to look at here in a game I think both sides will be on the attack.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score, 9+ match corners (2.15)
Goalscorers: Bamba (2.40), Saletros (8.50) or Barmen (3.75)
Mjøndalen v Start (Draw)
This is the game of the weekend, no doubt, and Mjøndalen come into it off the back of a 1-1 draw in Haugesund in which keeper Makani saw red for a tackle outside the box.
They had been ahead through Liseth, but didn't hold on, losing an 88th minute equaliser which would really have hurt.
At the weekend they were beaten 0-1 at home to Stabæk, and as a result this game is must win, and probably their last chance for hopes of staying in Eliteserien.
Start took a big point off of Glimt, an own goal had given them the lead, but they conceded a soft penalty and both sides had decent chances to win the game before finishing 1-1.
The weekend game was very disappointing, losing 4-1 at Viking with a Kabran goal in injury time making the score look slightly better than how the game went.
So this game in Drammen is massive as a win for Start would take them to 29 points, with potentially 31 or 32 looking like the guaranteed safety line.
Mjøndalen need to win to catch up with the teams above them, they would go two behind Start and level with Strømsgodset, provided they don't pick up any points.
All season long it has been goals that is the problem for Mjøndalen, just 22 scored in 27 games, it is clear why they are down the bottom end of the table. They have won 4 times at home all season, the last one a huge 3-0 win over Strømsgodset, so they will be looking to repeat that feat in another crucial game.
Start have been decent in recent weeks, picking up 7 points in the last 4 games, including big wins at home to Sarpsborg and at Odd. They look a better side than Mjøndalen, but this game might not be about much quality, but instead about nerves and fight.
I don't think there will be many goals, a 1-0 either way or potentially a 0-0 that neither side really wants.
Probably a game that will be hard fought, plenty of cards and fouls. A set piece might swing it one way or the other, but I can't call it, and a draw is probably the most likely result.
Bet Builder: Under 3.5 match goals, Both teams to score NO (2.37)
Goalscorers: Liseth (3.00), Schulze (3.75) or no goal (13.00)
Molde v Aalesund (Home Win)
Molde meet Aalesund late on Sunday and will be on a high thanks to a successful week, first beating Haugesund 3-1, then following it up with an identical win over Dundalk in the Europa League.
Last Sunday it was Hussain and Brynhildsen that had twice given them the lead early in the game, before an own goal early in the second half sealed a comfortable win.
On Thursday it was Eikrem, Omoijuanfo and Ellingson that had them 3-0 up and cruising before they lost a late goal to Dundalk. It leaves them needing just a draw in Vienna against Rapid to progeress in Europe, and also five points clear in second place in the league with a game in hand.
Aalesund lost both games this week, first losing 3-1 at Brann, then back home losing 0-1 against Sandefjord. The main positive being a first goal for 20 year old striker Vetle Fiskerstrand, hopefully he has a bright future with the club.
This game really should be very comfortable for Molde, knowing they probably only need one more win to guarantee second spot, this one should be it. They didn't have too difficult a game on Thursday, and some players got a rest, so I expect an easy Molde win.
These two met in game one of the season, Molde winning 4-1 in Aalesund, a sign of the season to come for Aalesund. I think we can definitely expect some goals for Molde here, they have scored 17 in the last 6 games.
Aalesund have been a little tighter recently with their back five, but Molde will have too much quality. Aalesund are officially relegated now, so we might see some young players too before the season ends to see if they are ready for next year.
Of the previous 11 games, there has been at least 9 corners in 10 of the Molde games, so given the way this game will set up, it is pretty likely again.
Leke James was rested and played just 12 minutes on Thursday, I expect he will start and is a very likely scorer in this one.
Bet Builder: over 2.5 match goals, Molde to score in both halves, 9+ match corners (2.10)
Goalscorers: Ellingson (2.87), Sigurd Haugen (4.50) or Hussain (2.25)
Sandefjord v Viking (Away Win)
There were big celebrations after Sandefjord beat Aalesund on Wednesday as they all but confirmed their stay in the top flight for another season. Deyver Vega scored a quality goal, something he is threatening to do a lot of, hitting the woodwork on several occasions since moving to Sandefjord.
Viking have really picked up their form of late, first hammering Start 4-1, then easily beating Brann 2-0. Two wins that have brought them in to the running for a European spot despite the turmoil going on regarding the manager being sacked.
Sebulonsen, Fridjonsson and a double for Torsteinbø proved too much for Start to deal with, and Brann lost out to goals from Berisha and Ibrahimaj. It has put them just three points behind Rosenborg who sit in the 4th European place right now.
This is a game that I can see Viking winning as Sandefjord might well just take their foot off the gas a little. Avoiding relegation was the sole aim at the start of the season, and now it has basically been achieved, they might just drop a few percent in their performance.
Viking smell the opportunity of the European spot, and they have scored 3, 2, 4 and 2 in their previous four games, so expect them to continue attacking and looking for goals. Sandefjord have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 home games, and haven't managed a win in 6 at home.
Viking can make it five wins in a row and I fancy them to do so. It might be tight because Sandefjord generally keep it tight in general, but with the pressure lifted, I think Viking will take advantage.
Bytyqi will miss this one for Viking it looks like, but they should still have enough attacking quality. I fancy them to be able to grab a couple goals and hopefully it should be a good game.
I like corners in this game too, at least nine in 9 of the last 10 Viking games, and 14 of the last 16 Sandefjord games.
Bet Builder: 2+ Viking goals and Viking to win either half (2.25)
Goalscorers: Berisha (2.50), Ibrahimaj (4.33) or Vega (2.62)
Strømsgodset v Haugesund (Home Win)
It was a disappointing weekend again for Godset as they lost a 1-0 lead at Kristiansund thanks to two penalties. The first one was really soft, the second one looked more nailed on, but it is still disappointing considering Godset had started well and gone ahead through Moses Mawa.
Their game against Odd was cancelled in midweek, so now they have a game in hand but are two points behind Start now as they sit in the relegation playoff spot.
Haugesund lost at Molde last weekend 3-1, before drawing 1-1 at home to Mjøndalen, an 88th minute equaliser gaining them a point. I get the feeling having secured their place in the league Haugesund are lacking a spark, so this might be a game for the home side to finally get back to winning ways.
Godset have not won in 12 games, their last win was a 3-2 win away at Haugesund, so they need to complete the double this weekend. I think they will, purely because they want it and need it so much.
I think both teams will score, Godset have only kept two clean sheets at home all season and Haugesund have scored in 7 games in a row. They have conceded 9 in the last 4 away games, so this one should have goals, and I think the home team will come out on top.
Another game I think corners is likely, especially given that Haugesund have no pressure and Godset will be desperate to win and be on the attack.
17 of the last 19 Godset games had had at least 9 corners, and 10 of the last 12 Haugesund games the same, so its more likely than not.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score, 9+ match corners, over 2.5 goals (2.60)
Goalscorers: Ingimundarson (2.75), Therkildsen (4.33) or Mawa (2.75)
Monday 7th December
Vålerenga v Rosenborg (Draw)
It has been a fairly disappointing week for Vålerenga as they first drew 1-1 at home to Sarpsborg, saved by a last minute equaliser from Felix Horn Myhre.
They followed that up with another 1-1 draw, this time at Stabæk. Kjartansson scored the opening goal in the first half but they lost the lead in another even game. That is three 1-1 draws in a row, but Vålerenga are up to 3rd and 3 points clear of Rosenborg.
If it has been disappointing for the Oslo club, Trondheim's club Rosenborg have had a shocker. First they lost 2-3 at home to Brann, then they went to the Champions in Bodø and lost 5-1. Three defeats on the bounce and Rosenborg are in danger of losing a European spot altogether.
Vålerenga are still unbeaten at home this season and only Rosenborg and Start can change that. This is a huge game though that could go a long way to deciding who finishes third this season.
Rosenborg have been really awful the last few games, but Vålerenga have struggled a little too. I can see this game being tight but given the home form of Vålerenga, they are slight favourites. I personally think it will be a draw which will make the race for European spots incredibly tight.
It should be an exciting game however, both teams are better on the front foot than the back. I reckon goals and corners for both teams. We know Rosenborg are the corner kings, and given the way Vålerenga play with width, and have good counter attacking players, it will be an open and interesting encounter.
The reverse fixture was an even 1-1 at Lerkendal, a result that wouldn't surprise me again.
Bet Builder: Both teams to score, 10+ match corners (2.21)
Goalscorers: Finne (2.87), Zachariassen (4.00) or Kjartansson (2.20)
Bets of the Week
Glimt to score in both halves (1.80)
Viking to beat Sandefjord (2.37)
Åsane to beat Strømmen (1.95)
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