Gameweek 9 this weekend is the third game in a week, before the teams get the midweek free to rest up some tired legs, as injuries and rotation become more regular throughout Eliteserien, making it ever more hard to predict, especially in the mid table.
Saturday 18th July
Mjøndalen v Bødo/Glimt (Away Win)
League leaders Glimt got a win at home to Kristiansund on Wednesday night, thanks in part to an absolute wonder strike by central defender Marius Lode. It was a very tight game, and Kristiansund sat in a very low block to contain the attacking threat.
The blueprint has been set out, and I do feel that Mjøndalen will be setting up in a very similar system. Kristiansund led at the half thanks to their only attack, Pellegrino put it away nicely. They man marked Saltnes and Fet effectively, and also allowed defenders to have the ball.
Mjøndalen who had been a back 5 earlier in the season, now are using a back 4, and I think they will almost certainly use the low block and 4 1 4 defensive set up that Kristiansund used. What it means is Glimt might not get the goals they have previously, and they will need to score early to open the game up.
Mjøndalen themselves are coming off of a poor display against Strømsgodset, losing 2-1 but in reality it could have been more, Makani saving a penalty for them in the first half.
Glimt have won all 8 games so far, and it has to end at some point, but they are so full of confidence, it really does depend on Mjøndalen playing the perfect defensive game. JP Hauge missed the game on Wednesday, and Tounekti was not as effective on the left. It took Boniface coming on to open things up, he is far more direct and will start if Hauge is still missing.
Also expect Skytte to start instead of Fet, his ball carrying ability was very useful in the second half against Kristiansund, so could be used from the start here.
I do still expect Glimt will break them down, whether that is in the first or second half I'm not willing to bet on. Another thing to look at might be Mjøndalen corners. Glimt are averaging over 4 corners against in the league this year despite their dominance, so might find some value with the home team there.
Bet Builder: Glimt to win, Under 5 goals in the match (odds: 2.00)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Zinckernagel(2.05), Boniface(2.05) or Saltnes (3.60)
Haugesund v Viking (Draw)
Two teams coming off the back of different kinds of losses. Viking were absolutely hammered by Molde 5-0 away from home. They had a couple good chances, notably Bytyqi going clean through at 2-0, but ultimately they were massively outclassed.
Haugesund lost a tight game at Vålerenga by a goal to nil, Benjamin Stokke firing home late on for the hosts. Haugesund should have scored through Benjamin Kallman, but he missed a glorious chance when set up well by Velde, a player who has really impressed the last few games.
These are two teams that had top half ambitions, but are struggling to live up to them. Haugesund have only won twice so far this season, against Start and Sandefjord, and now haven't won in three games. Similarly, Viking won against Sandefjord, so far their only win of the season.
Both sides are struggling for goals, Haugesund only have 6 so far and Viking have 8. So we definitely can't be expecting a goal fest in this one.
Given this is also a west coast derby, these two will likely play out a close game. They played each other three times last season including Viking winning the cup final 1-0, a goal from a penalty. The other two fixtures ended 1-0 and 0-0.
Haugesund will be out for revenge from that final, and I do think they are playing better football than Viking, but it is hard to bet on a result here. Haugesund average 6 corners at home, Viking over 7 away from home, so that market is definitely in play.
If there is to be a winner, I think it might be the home side, with the added motivation of revenge from last years final. Viking on the road have lost 3-0, 2-1 and 5-0 against 3 of the top 5, and they only drew with winless Start, so tough to back them.
Bet Builder: Under 3.5 goals, Haugesund draw or win(odds: 1.80) and add over 9.5corners, odds not available yet.
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Velde(4.0), Sandberg(3.50) or Berisha(3.00)
Sunday 19th July
Aalesund v Stabæk (Away Win)
Aalesund come in off the back of a really poor defeat against Sandefjord and are yet to win. They have not adapted to Eliteserien at all, conceding 26 goals, and worryingly the last game was their worst display in attack.
Stabæk have a day less of rest, which might be significant, as they drew 1-1 in a tight match against Sarpsborg. Sarpsborg sat in deep and Stabæk found it difficult to break them down. Hugo Vetlesen, quickly becoming one of my favourite players in the league, grabbed his 3rd of the season, the 20 year old is really showing a good quality of timing his runs in to the box.
Aalesund worryingly had no shots on target against Sandefjord, and probably worse than that their manager Lars Bohinen has publicly criticised a number of players. This usually doesn't end well, and Stabæk have a chance to stick the knife in even further on Sunday.
Aalesund need to win, and the spaces they leave will suit Stabæk with their energy and pace in attack. Emil Bohinen will be playing against his Dad's team, and he is a really quality midfielder that can control the game. He also hits penalties, so interesting to see him potentially put his Dad's job under pressure.
Stabæk are pretty inconsistent, but they have been better on the road, winning at Kristiansund and drawing at Vålerenga. They also gave Molde a good game until Molde ran away with it in the second half. I think playing away suits them so I fancy them this weekend.
They have scored in all 3 away games so far, and I fancy them to get at least a couple here, but they do give up a fair amount of chances, 13 chances created for Sarpsborg on Thursday, so I think there will be goals in the game.
Aalesund being back home should improve their attacking output, so I think they will get a goal in what should be a high scoring game.
Another thing to look for, referee Rohit Saggi is averaging over 6 yellow cards a game and he is the referee here.
Bet Builder: over 2.5 goals, both teams to score (odds 1.90)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Nordli(3.40), Vetlesen(4.33), Bohinen(6.00)
Kristiansund v Vålerenga (Draw)
Kristiansund nearly became the first team to take some points off of Glimt on Wednesday, but they fell short eventually, and in fairness their defensive display didn't merit 3 points. They are the side that have the lowest possession in the league, relying on counter attacks and also moments of brilliance from Pellegrino.
Pellegrino has 8 now this season, nobody else has more than two goals, so they rely on him massively, and will again here.
Vålerenga put in a good performance against Haugesund, and Benjamin Stokke scored for the second game in a row. Also impressing was young winger Osame Sahraoui, in the absense of Dønnum he showed the creative touch and dribbling quality, it was his cross that set up the goal.
Another tough game to call, but goals is one thing that is most likely. Vålerenga have scored in every game so far this season, and Kristiansund in the last 7 games have scored and also there has been 3 or more goals in every one of those games.
Dønnum is back for this game, so expect him to be creating chances for Stokke and Vilhjalmsson who is playing deeper but still getting in the box for crosses.
They are dangerous from set pieces too Vålerenga, right back Christian Borchgrevink has one of the best deliveries in the league and he has created plenty chances already this season.
For Kristiansund, they haven't won for 5 games now, and there last home game was disappointing 2-1 defeat to Stabæk. So I think this one will be tight, but if anyone is likely to edge it, it might be the away side.
Kristiansund get a lot of corners at home, so that can be backed. Also Vålerenga get plenty yellow cards, so something to look at.
Bet builder: over 2.5 goals, both teams to score(odds: 1.95)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Stokke(3.10), Pellegrino(2.25) or Vilhjalmsson(2.87)
Rosenborg v Sandefjord (Home win)
Sandefjord got a massive home win over Aalesund on Wednesday, their goal coming from Sander Moen Foss, cutting in from the right and finishing neatly into the far bottom corner on his left foot. It was their first win since opening day, and their first goal from open play since then too.
Rosenborg looked pretty toothless against Start on Thursday night, they came away with a 0-0 draw, but it could have been worse. Islamovic has to come out the team, he is offering nothing, they need to put trust in Børven to play up top and get the goals.
This should be a massive mismatch, although the confidence from the win and the extra days rest will be nice for Sandefjord.. I still feel RBK will have too much for them on the day.
As usual it might take some time for the home side to get going, they have scored only 2 first half goals this season, 9 in the 2nd half.
Since an opening day win at Odd, Sandefjord have lost by two goals in each of their other away games, at Stabæk, Brann and Viking, so I think it is good to look at RBK bouncing back from a disappointing Thursday night with a good win here.
Their last home game was a 3-0 win, so something similar could be on the cards here. Sandefjord away from home are averaging over four corners, and RBK concede more corners than anyone at home, so should be value in that one.
Can't see anything other than a home win here, and struggle to see Sandefjord creating too much.
Bet Builder: RBK -1 handicap, and RBK to win the second half(odds: 1.90)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Børven(1.61), Helland(2.20) or Zacahriassen(2.87)
Sarpsborg v Odd (Home Win)
Sarpsborg have turned round their poor start, and now are 3 unbeaten with a couple of wins. Their most recent display saw a 1-1 draw at Stabæk in a fairly even match that either side could have knicked a winner in.
Odd are also 3 unbeaten and have won their last two, after a 1-0 win over Brann on Wednesday night. It was a well deserved win, although the goal was a little fortuitous, poor keeping from Ahamada, parrying the ball straight to Kaasa for a relatively easy finish.
They have started to play better football the last few games, finally adapting to live without Børven, Lauritsen again showing he has nice movement in and around the box.
Jørgen Larsen for Sarpsborg is becoming better and more confident by the week. The young striker has some really good link play, he just needs to add goals to his game now. He hit the post against Stabæk, I feel this weekend he could get one.
Sarpsborg have quality in midfield and usually keep it tight with 3 at the back. This will be another close game, that I can see the home side knicking by a goal. I don't think it will be a high scoring affair though.
Sarpsborg average over 7 corners a game at home, so something to look at their, and I do think they are playing more attacking now than they were at the start of the season.
Bet Builder: Under 3.5 goals, Over 8.5 corners(odds: 2.20)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Strand Larsen(2.75), Lauritsen(4.00) or Saletros(7.00)
Strømsgodset v Molde (Away Win)
Molde are still unbeaten and their previous two games have probably been the most impressive they have looked this season. A 5-0 hammering of Viking was well deserved, and good to see Leke James with another couple of goals as he begins to look back to his best.
Godset played their best game of the season as well on Wednesday, beating Mjøndalen 2-1, but looking dangerous throughout for the first time this season. They really looked to get Moses Mawa in behind quickly, a tactic I'm sure we will see again against Molde.
Molde have rotated players and they look fresh and another win is likely here. They have been leading at half time in 6 of their 8 games, drawing in the other 2, so I will be looking at the half time price here more than the full time.
Godset are unbeaten at home, but this will be by far the toughest team they have played so far(Odd, Aalesund, KBK, Mjøndalen), and I can't see them having enough control of this game.
I do think that Molde could get caught out on the break with the pace of Mawa, so can see Godset getting a goal maybe. But I won't bet on it, I'd rather look at them getting corners, something Molde do concede a lot of, an average of 7.5 for away games so far.
Molde beat Godset 4-0 both games last year, so it is a team they like playing against.
Bet Builder: Molde to Win, over 8.5 corners in the game(odds: 2.23)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: James(2.00), Ulland Andersen(2.25) or Brynhildsen(2.40)
Brann v Start (Home Win)
Off the back of a disappointing defeat at Odd, Brann have the perfect fixture to bounce back. They probably could have scored on Wednesday, Bamba had an incredible run from an Odd corner, but he couldn't quite finish.
Koomson and Taylor looked a little tired on Wednesday, so they only played just around an hour, and they should be raring to go with an extra days rest over the Start players.
Start had a really good display against RBK, but ultimately they are still waiting for their first win, and they are struggling big time to score goals, just 1 in the last 5 games.
The extra days rest is a big factor for me here, as Start gave everything against Rosenborg, so I expect they will struggle to achieve the same levels here against Brann.
Brann should manage to break down a Start team that will probably sit in deep and wait for counter opportunities. Bamba is absolutely due a goal for Brann, and he will be licking his lips here. The other home games against bottom half opposition, they won 3-0(Viking) and 3-1(Sandefjord), and I expect more of the same here from them.
I can see Brann running away with this, especially if they score early.
Bet Builder: Brann to win, over 1 goal in the match for Brann, Brann to score in both halves(odds: 2.60)
Goalscorers to add to bet builder: Bamba(2.10), Koomson(2.87) or Haugen(3.75)
Bets of the Weekend in Norway
Brann - 1 handicap v Start (2.40)
Molde to Win, over 8.5 corners in the game (2.23) NB
Tromsdalen and Fredrikstad(both division 2) to win (1.90) NAP
over 2.5 goals double Jerv v HamKam and Sogndal v Sandnes ULF (2.08)
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