Gameweek 18 Preview

Gameweek 18 in Eliteserien as Glimt continue to remain unbeaten. Four teams come into this gameweek after European games, Molde in particular will likely feel the effects of a trip to Cyprus and 120 minutes of football.

This week all 16 teams are back in action, with two games on Saturday and six games on Sunday, as the battle intensifies for European spots, as well as at the bottom.

Saturday 19th September

Vålerenga v Molde (Home Win)

Normally I'd be backing Molde to get the job done in Oslo against Vålerenga, but three days after a grueling 120 minutes in Cyprus, they travel to Vålerenga for a really tough game. 

The home side remain unbeaten at home this season, and last week the headlines were written by new signing Vidar Kjartansson, who scored a first half hattrick on his return to the club. 

They were 5-1 up at half time Vålerenga, and Brann had no answer for their attacking play. Kjartansson gives them a real finisher up top, something they have been lacking.

Molde come in to this game on a mental high having beaten Qarabag on penalties on Wednesday night. A tough match in the heat of Cyprus, but they have a chance of Champions League football for the first time since 1999, if they can get passed Ferencvaros.

I think given the game on Wednesday, and the fact Vålerenga are unbeaten this season at home, I can see Molde losing this one. They have lost 4 in a row away from home, which is really surprising, but now the league is gone, they can rest some legs and really go for that Champions League spot.

I'm definitely looking at goals here, Vålerenga have scored and conceded in 7 in a row now, Molde have scored in their last 4 away games, even in defeat. 

I think Vålerenga to score in the first half will be a good bet, given how they started the game last week, and that Molde will maybe be feeling the effects of Wednesday night.

Can probably look at corners too, the previous 11 Vålerenga, and 7 Molde games have had at least 8 corners, so something to add it to a bet builder.

The price of the home team has really dropped since Wednesday night, and I think Vålerenga will get the job done here as they push for a European spot themselves.

Bet builder: Both teams to score, Over 2.5 goals, 8+ corners (2.05)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Kjartansson(2.37), Brynhildsen(3.00) or Sahraoui(4.75)

Sarpsborg v Mjøndalen (Home Win)

Sarpsborg got a really good 1-0 win at Aalesund last week despite losing Larsen and Coulibaly in the build up to the game. New man Tobias Heintz, brought in to replace Coulibaly, got on the scoresheet with a calm finish in the first half. He looked very lively and could have had another goal in the second half.

Mjøndalen are in deep trouble as they languish in 15th place in the table, 5 points from safety. Last week was a huge game for them at home to Sandefjord, but they lost 2-0. Markus Nakkim missed a penalty at 0-0 which proved extremely costly, and they have now lost 10 of their last 12 games.

This game is massive again for Mjøndalen, if they lose here they are cut adrift, and it is a game I think will not be one to watch. Two defensive teams that don't score a lot of goals, just 32 between them in the 17 games so far.

Sarpsborg are a decent enough side, and before Glimt came to town two gameweeks ago, they had gone 5 at home without losing. Mjøndalen have picked up 8 points on the road, with their two wins coming at Brann and Aalesund. 

The last time Mjøndalen scored more than 1 goal in a game, was on the 18th of July in a 3-2 defeat, so I can't see them scoring more than one here, if they do at all. Sarpsborg have scored twice at home in four of their nine games, so they aren't exactly prolific.

The reverse fixture at Mjøndalen was 1-0 to the home side, and I think a reverse scoreline could be on the cards here. Mjøndalen have not had a 0-0 since gameweek 1, but plenty of 1-0 and 2-0 score lines.

Bet Builder: Under 3.5 goals, Sarpsborg to win either half (2.10)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Heintz(3.60), Jonathon Lindseth(3.60) or Olden Larsen(5.00)

Sunday 20th September

Brann v Bodø/Glimt (Away Win)

Brann are the latest team to try and stop Glimt going unbeaten all season. But they come into this after a 5-1 hammering in Vålerenga, and having dropped to 9th in the table having won only 2 out of 9 games.

Glimt beat Odd 6-1 last weekend, an incredible display had them 4-1 up at the break, despite going behind after 45 seconds. More goals from Hauge, Boniface and Saltnes as they each bagged a brace.

They followed that up with a win in the Europa League, 3-1 over Zalgiris Vilnius, with goals from Zinckernagel, Boniface and Patrick Berg. They now go on to face AC Milan in Milan, which is a huge test for the club and a very exciting tie for the players.

This game comes three days after that Europa League win, but given the game was at home, and nowhere near as draining as Molde's game, I expect they should recover fine. It isn't a big squad they have, but we might see one or two changes, but definitely not the full team.

Last week again Glimt scored in both halves(my NAP of the week), and that makes it 14 of 17 they have done that, scoring in 31 of 34 halves of football.

Brann have only kept one clean sheet at home all season, so they are not likely to be the defense to stop the Glimt train rolling on. Glimt won 5-0 in the reverse fixture, and although I don't see such a hammering again, I can't see Brann winning this one.

Glimt have only kept 4 clean sheets all season, so they do concede, and all 17 of their games have had at least 3 goals in them, so as usual goals is the angle in this game.

At least 9 corners in the game has happened nine in a row for Brann, and seven in a row for Glimt, so worth adding it to the bets.

Bet Builder: over 2.5 goals, both teams to score, 9+ corners (2.05)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Hauge(1.95), Strand(4.00) or Boniface(2.10)

Rosenborg v Haugesund (Home Win)

Rosenborg fought back from 3-1 down at Strømsgodset last weekend to snatch a late draw thanks to an 87th minute Islamovic header. Torgeir Børven also got a goal, as well as a first goal back at RBK for Per Ciljan Skjelbred.

They followed that up with an easy 5-1 away win in Europe at an extremely windy Ventspils in Latvia. The pitch was poor, and the weather awful, but they got the job done nice and easily.

Haugesund were perhaps a little unlucky in losing 2-1 at Stabæk. They should have been ahead in the game, but lost it late on after failing to take a number of chances.

Rosenborg lost the reverse fixture 1-0 at Haugesund, but their home form as been very decent this year despite early season problems. They have won 5 and drawn 3 of their home games, only Glimt managing to beat them at Lerkendal.

Haugesund have picked up 8 of their 21 points on the road, but have managed to score only 6 goals in the 8 games so far, so it is clear where their problem lies.

With some potential tiredness and a few injury doubts, I can actually see Haugesund scoring in this one, but Rosenborg have been scoring plenty goals recently. It is 15 in the last 5 games for the Trondheim club, so expect maybe another 3 here to keep that going.

Haugesund games usually have plenty corners in them with the way they defend the box and attack with plenty crosses. At least 8 corners in 16 games, they average over 11 corners, as do Rosenborg.

I think the home side will win this one, it might take them until the second half to get going, 20 goals in the second half compared to 12 in the first half shows that has been the general story.

Bet Builder: RBK 2+ goals, 9+ match corners (2.07)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Islamovic (2.60), Holse (3.75) or Velde (5.50)

Sandefjord v Strømsgodset (Draw)

Sandefjord got another really impressive win away at Mjøndalen last week, and there was another goal from Sivert Gussiås who continues to look like a good young striker with a big future in Norway, 7 now for the season.

Vidar Jonsson got the other goal as Sandefjord moved four points clear of the relegation playoff spot.

Strømsgodset should have beaten Rosenborg after Lars Jørgen Salvesen and Johan Hove had helped to give them a 3-1 lead. But they only drew which leaves them in 12th place, just above Sandefjord, having won only 2 of their last 9 games.

The goals conceded column is the story for Strømsgodset, 35 in 17 games, the second worst in the league, and Sandefjord having scored in 10 of their previous 11 games will fancy their chances to do so again here.

This game finished 3-4 at Godset in a thrilling contest, and lets hope for more of the same. Goals are expected from both teams, Sandefjord themselves getting only their third clean sheet of the season last week.

Neither of these teams have had a 0-0 draw yet this season, so we shouldn't expect a tight game.(have I jinxed it?) 

It could be a competitive game, both teams like a card, and I'd be looking at the likely event of at least a couple cards each in this one.

It is hard to call this one, any result with goals in it wouldn't surprise me. The only thing that would surprise me is a low scoring game with few chances.

Bet Builder: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (1.90)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Salvesen(2.75), Gussiås(2.87) or Celorrio (3.20)

Start v Kristiansund (Draw)

Start are still fighting to get out of the relegation playoff spot, and it is their home form that will give them the chance to do it. They had a free week last week, so it has been 3 weeks since their last game, that crucial 1-0 win over Aalesund.

Kristiansund were on the wrong end of an 8 goal thriller with Viking last weekend. Despite that there was another two goals from Amahl Pellegrino, taking him on to 17 goals for the season and well clear at the top of the race to become top scorer.

Start have managed to win their previous three home games, and are unbeaten in six at home now. That has been crucial as they have picked up 13 of their 15 points in the Sør Arena.

KBK are a good away side though, picking up13 points on the road, the joint second highest total in the table, obviously behind Glimt. They counter attack pretty well, doing so effectively in recent wins at Sandefjord and Viking. 

The pace of Pellegrino could well be a problem for Start, especially if they open up. They need to win so I expect they will leave some gaps at the back. KBK have scored in 15 of 17 games, so I expect they will do so again.

They have also conceded in 14 of 17, so although I maybe don't see loads of goals, I can see at least 1 each. Kevin Kabran is suspended for Start in this one, and they will miss his creativity however. 

The reverse fixture was won 3-2, Pellegrino, Bye and Coly scoring, but I'd be surprised if it is quite as high scoring this time.

Hard to find an angle in this game for betting as corners is pretty inconsistent for both, and unsure if Start will really open up, especially in the first half.

Again a game I can see any result happening, KBK chasing European spots, Start looking to get closer to the teams above them, this could go anywhere.

Bet Builder: 4 or fewer goals in the game, Both teams to score (2.15)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Pellegrino(2.20), Skålevik(2.50) or Bye(3.00)

Viking v Aalesund (Home Win)

Viking were dumped out of Europe on Thursday night by Aberdeen as they lost 2-0 on their home patch. It was a disappointing result in what was a fairly even game in which both sides missed chances.

They had scored five at the weekend against Kristiansund, Veton Berisha continuing his great form, 8 in the last 6 games now. Zymer Bytyqi and Ibrahimaj are both playing well too and they should manage some goals this weekend.

Aalesund lost their second consecutive 1-0 under new management, although they were a touch unlucky, twice hitting the woodwork. Also there was bad news as top scorer Fridjonsson was injured early on, he probably should have scored but he has rolled his ankle from the challenge during the chance, and will miss out this weekend.

Viking have won three in a row, five unbeaten, to take them up to 8th in the table as they look to challenge the top six. A win here is pretty likely, despite the three days rest, but they have to be wary of Aalesund on the break.

One thing I do like potentially is Aalesund to score in the first half. They score 66% of their goals in the first half, and maybe Viking will have a slight Europa League hangover.

Fifteen goals in five games for Viking, they can expect to add to it here against a team that has conceded in every game this season, 48 in total. They do look more solid, but they still give up chances with individual mistakes.

Viking do concede plenty, nearly two a game on average, so I can see Aalesund creating chances, but without their main striker someone else will have to score for a change. That means this is likely to end in a home win.

Bet Builder: Aalesund to score in FH, Both teams to score (2.40)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Berisha (1.95), Haugen (3.60) or Bytyqi (2.75)

Odd v Stabæk (Home Win) 

Odd were embarrassed by Glimt last week, but they weren't the first, and won't be the last this season. In general Odd have been excellent, only Glimt and Molde have stopped them winning in their last eight games.

Stabæk picked up that great win over Haugesund, a fantastic curling winner from Darren Maatsen, his first for the club after injury issues have stopped him so far this season. Captain Andreas Hanche-Olsen celebrated his national team call up by scoring, then scoring at the wrong end, but Maatsen got 3 points to lift Stabæk to 7th in the table.

Odd have won 5 in a row at home, including 6-1 last time out against Mjøndalen. They have a nice fluidity about their attack with Kitolano, Kaasa, Lunding and Rashani all good ball players. Bakenga has picked up a few goals too as they try to take second place from Molde, currently three points back.

Stabæk have only won twice on the road, but they have only lost twice as well, the draw specialists of the league picking up 10 points from the 8 games.

Odd's last four home wins have produced plenty goals, as they have scored and conceded in all four of them, but the reverse fixture in this game was 0-1, so it is the only doubt I have regarding goals.

I like both teams offensively, and I am sure Odd will be looking to bounce back with a good win. I do think there will be goals, Stabæk have scored in 7 of 8 away games, and they counter attack pretty well.

I think Odd will get a win here, but hopefully it is a really good game to end the weekend. One other thing of note is Stabæk have hit 4+ corners in 7 of their last 8 games, and are 1.90 to do so again.

Bet Builder: Over 2.5 goals, Odd to win either half (2.05)

Goalscorers to add to Bet Builder: Bakenga (2.20), Lunding(3.75) or Maatsen (4.75)

Eliteserien Bets of the Week

Last week saw me get my NAP right for the 4th week in a row, and also nail 5 of the 7 Bet Builders, all valued at over even money. So lets hope for more of the same!

Glimt to score in BH (1.90) NAP

Over 3.0 goals on Asian Goal line Sandefjord v Strømsgodset (2.05)

Stabæk to hit 4+ corners (1.90)

Division one bets I like

Åsane -1 to beat Øygarden (2.2)

Sandnes ULF Draw or Win Double Chance v Tromsø (1.90)