Fantasy Eliteserien Gameweek 18 Preview

Rosenborg

Rosenborg have added two new players to their squad, Jonatan Levi from Swedish second tier club Östers. and Morten Konradsen. Levi’s a 21-year-old attacking midfielder, capable of playing at both wings. An interesting prospect, but I can’t see him making a big impact in this game this season. Morten Konradsen is a strange one. He’s been struggling with injuries and I can’t see him making any impact at Rosenborg. 19-year-old John Hou Sæter has been sold to Stabæk, while Erlend Dahl Reitan has been loaned out to Bodø/Glimt. Reitan was the backup right back, so this makes Vegar Eggen Hedenstad more nailed on than ever.

The future of Milan Jevtovic hasn’t been decided yet as his loan expires at the end of the month. Fredrik Midtsjø is in talks with AZ Alkmaar and is looking likely to leave.

Mushaga Bakenga is free to leave the club this summer and could end up at another Eliteserien club.

Rosenborg have impressed in the Champions League qualifiers, but were knocked out by Celtic after a 0-0 draw away and a 0-1 loss at home. Pål André Helland made a sub appearance against Celtic, so he’s likely to start in the home tie against Kristiansund on Saturday. Tore Reginiussen didn’t make the return tie against Celtic, after picking up an injury in the first game. He’s doubtful for the Kristiansund game, but could make it.

Watch out for the lineups ahead of the deadline on Saturday, there could be some rotation. I would expect benched players like Matthias Vilhjalmson, Pål André Helland and Elba Rashani to start on Saturday.

Sarpsborg

Sarpsborg signed Amin Askar on a free transfer back in June. He mainly operates as a right winger, but he’s also capable of playing as a left winger. A couple of years ago he delivered great numbers for Brann over three seasons, but after two seasons in a second tier Turkish club it remains to be seen how good he’s right now. An interesting Fantasy prospect.

Swedish striker Erton Fejzullahu return to Sweden after just four months at Sarpsborg, while backup centre back Morten Sundli has been sold to Swedish club Öster.

It’s been reported that Krepin Diatta is being sold to Belgian side Club Brügge for a club record fee at two million pounds.

Molde

Molde has focused on strengthening at the back. 29-year-old Vegard Forren comes back to Molde after being released by Brighton this summer. He left Molde after last season on a free transfer. He was all but ready to sign for Rosenborg when Brighton came in last minute in January, but he now returns to Molde after playing zero minutes for Brighton. The former Southampton player has played 238 games for Molde and is a former captain, so he’s expected to go straight into the starting XI.

Swedish left back Christopher Telo has also signed for the club and could be a potential starter at left wingback. Amidou Diop has left for Kristiansund and Ole-Martin Rindarøy has left for Sogndal.

Brann

Brann have been really quiet this transfer window and I don’t expect them to sign anyone unless Piotr Leciejewski leaves. It’s been really quiet lately, but he was spotted in the stands at a Zaglebie Lubin played in Poland so it doesn’t look like it’s dead yet. Brann prefer to keep him.

Haugesund

Haugesund have loaned Polish midfielder Jakub Serafin from Lech Poznan, the club who beat them in the Europa League qualifiers. He’s expected to take place in midfield instead of club captain Filip Kiss, who’s been sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. Erik Huseklepp has failed to establish himself in Haugesund and has been loaned out to second tier club Åsane. Bruno Soares has been released (and later signed with Hapoel Tel-Aviv) and striker Johnny Per Buduson has been loaned out to second tier club Fredrikstad.

Stabæk

Stabæk have been fairly quiet this summer, with 19-year-old John Hou Sæter from Rosenborg being their only signing.  He was regarded as a big talent, but has struggled with pericarditis and other injuries. It will be interesting to see if he can reboot his career at Stabæk, but I don’t expect him to be a good fantasy option. Defensive midfielder El-Hadji Ba has left for French club Sochaux, which is a big blow for them. Former Manchester City striker Alex Nimely has been released on a free transfer.

Vålerenga

Adam Larsen Kwarasey was signed earlier this summer from Danish club Bröndby. The former Rosenborg and Strømsgodset keeper is expect to be first choice at his new club. Rasmus Lindkvist has been sold to Swedish club AIK, while Muhamed Keita’s loan has expired. There hasn’t been much new regarding Ghayas Zahid, so he’s most likely still a Vålerenga player this gameweek.

Aalesund

Lars Veldwijk’s loan expired at the end of July. He returned to Belgian side KV Kortrijk, before they sold him to FC Groningen. As his replacement Aalesund got Greek striker Athanasios Papazoglou on loan from the same Belgian side, KV Kortrijk. According to Aalesund’s coach he’s more dangerous in front of goal than Veldwijk, but it remains to be seen how good he actually is. I really doubt he’ll be as underpriced as Veldwijk was.

Lillestrøm

Lillestrøm found good form before the summer break and have also been active in the transfer market over the summer, so it remains to be seen what it means for their starting XI.

Striker Marco Tagbajumi has been signed from Strømsgodset and he’s very likely to be a starter. That means either Chigozie Udoji or Erlind Knudtzon will be moved out wide, or Udoji could find the bench. If either of those are moved out wide, Aleksander Melgalvis could be moved back to right back or to the bench. Melgalvis picked up an injury in a friendly during the break so I’m not 100% sure if he’ll be fit for this GW. My knowledge about Lillestrøm isn’t the greatest, but both Megalvis and Knudtzon have been pretty impressive in their respective positions so I’ll think they’ll continue for now at least as long as they are fit.

Croatian goalkeeper Marko Maric has been loaned from Hoffenheim and I suspect he’ll be first choice soon. They have also signed Nigerian defensive midfielder Charles Chinedu Ezeh. He might not be ready to break into the starting XI yet, but long term he’s probably a replacement for Bonke Innocent who has left for Swedish club Malmö. Both Tomas Malec and Michal Skoda has returned to their clubs after unsuccessful loan spells, while goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes has been released.

Odd

Odd haven’t signed any new players, but they have sold two key players. Rafik Zekhnini has been sold to Fiorentina for a fee believed to be 1.5 million pound, while Fredrik Oldrup Jensen was sold to Belgian side Zulte Waregem. Odd face Dinamo Zagreb at home in the Europa League qualifiers today (August 3rd) after losing 1-2 away.

Sandefjord

Sandefjord have been active during the summer and made some interesting signings.

Former Schalke 04 midfielder Carlos Grossmüller has arrived on loan from Uruguayan club Danubio, while striker Facundo Rodríguez has arrived on loan from Uruguayan club Penarol. Dutch centre back Crescendo van Berkel has signed on free transfer from Dutch club Telstar. I suspect all three will be starters. Striker Markus Naglestad and midfielder Elliot Kebbie has left the club.

There has been lots of talk in the media about Diego Forlan moving to Sandefjord, but it’s starting to look unlikely now.

Sogndal

Sogndal snapped 20-year-old English centre back Reiss Greenidge in front of Viking, after he impressed for the latter at a trial. Left back Knut Olav Rindarøy, winger Joachim Soltvedt and striker Markus Brændsrød has also signed for the club. I expect Rindarøy to go straight into the starting XI, while the other three are unknown quantity for me. Left back Kristinn Jónsson, centre back Walid Atta and midfielders Simen Brekkhus and Henrik Furebotn has left the club.

Centre backs Kjetil Wæhler and Espen Næss Lund are most ending their Stabæk careers as well. Left back Lars Christian Kjemhus damaged his knee ligaments in training and won’t return this season.

Strømsgodset

Strømsgodset haven’t signed any new players, but they have sold forwards Tommy Høiland and Marco Tagbajumi to Viking and Lillestrøm.

Radoslaw Janukiewicz has returned after his loan spell, while Sosha Makani will return to Mjøndalen when his loan expired on August 14th.

Kristiansund

Kristiansund have signed a number of midfielders during the summer. Amidou Diop has arrived from Molde, Olav Øby has arrived from Sarpsborg on loan and winger Torgil Gjertsen has signed from Ranheim. Midfielder Andreas Rødsand has also returned from a loan spell at Nest Sotra.

Rocky Lekaj has left the club for Fredrikstad and Thompson Unachi Ekpe has returned to Molde (and then sold to Arendal) after a loan spell.

Tromsø

Tromsø has been really quiet. Patrick Kpozo has returned to AIK after an unsuccessful loan spell. It’s been quiet regardin Aron Sigurdarson lately and he remains at Tromsø for now.

Viking

The most active club this summer has been Viking. A number of players have signed, while a couple of players have moved on.

They have signed some proven Eliteserien quality in forward Tommy Høiland and winger Fredrik Torsteinbø. They have also added a lot of players who are unknown to most of us. Croatian centre back Sime Gregov has signed from Slovenian club Koper, Spanish defender José Manuel Cruz has signed from Spanish third tier club Ferrol and former Watford midfielder Ross Jenkins has signed on a free transfer after his contract expired at Bulgarian club Pirin Blagojevgrad. They have also signed Tore-André Sørås from second tier side Follo. I expect Høiland, Torsteinbø, Gregov and Jenkins to be starters, so it’s definitely interesting to see how Viking look with at least four new players in their starting XI.  Cruz could also be a starter, but Martinsen have done well the last few games.

Centre back Michael Ledger and striker Kwesi Appiah returned to Sunderland and Crystal Palace after their loans expired back in June, while first choice centre back Karol Mets has been sold to Dutch side NAC Breda.

Backup striker Patrick Pedersen has been sold to Icelandic club Valur, while Robin Shroot returns to Hødd after a unsuccessful loan spell. Samuel Adegbenro remains a Viking player for now, although there are loads of interest from Bursaspor, Rosenborg, Molde and a couple of other unnamed clubs. Viking fully expect him to play against Lillestrøm, unless something drastic happens in the next few days.

What’s next?

There is still some uncertainty over a couple of key players with two weeks remaining of the transfer window. Fredrik Midtsjø looks likely to leave Rosenborg and I would be surprised if Samuel Adegbenro remains at Viking, although he could stay in Eliteserien. Other players linked with moves are Anders Trondsen, Ohi Omoijuanfo, Ghayas Zahid, Aron Sigurdarson and Piotr Leciejewski. Interestingly Anders Trondsen has been mentioned as a possible Fredrik Midtsjø replacement at Rosenborg. Milan Jevtovic’s future is still up in the air as well and there could always be some unexpected transfers to come.

If I missed any transfers or injuries, please add below. There are limited resources for injury news in Eliteserien, so it’s very likely I missed some of them. I won’t name any differential this Gameweek as it’s really tough to pick with a lot of uncertain starting XI due to transfers, European qualifiers (Rosenborg and Odd) and fitness issues after the summer break.