Did you think your summer would be dull without fantasy football? Fear not. The developers of Fantasy Premier League have launched a brand new game called Eliteserien Fantasy.
The game will feature the Norwegian top divison. The site is currently only in Norwegian but it is fairly easy to register and use if you are used to FPL.
The concept and rules are the same as FPL, the only differences being no chips and there’s a ‘man in the stand’ for bonus points.
The season will have 30 Gameweeks between April and November. A third of the season will be played during the off-season in FPL so this game could soften the summer blow for Fantasy Footy junkies.
Already 58 players have joined the FFS league, including FPL legend Ville Rönkä. The league code is: 3769-1041
In this article I will take a look at the 16 teams and the players to keep an eye on.
Rosenborg
Having won ‘the double’ two seasons in a row, there is no doubt who is the gigantic fish in this pond. Both league titles have been comfortable with a tally of 69 points, an average of staggering 2.3 points per game. The Rosenborg domination is set to continue with the acquisition of Nicklas Bendtner (12.5). Not only is the insane Dane the most expensive player in the game, he currently also sits in over half the teams.
Mixed results and a few injuries during the pre season, there remains uncertainty around the form of their key players. Rosenborg meet Brann in a face off between last year’s top two teams on March 29. This may give us some answers, or pose more questions as it will be the first of four games Rosenborg play in 10 days. This fixture congestion could be a good reason to overlook the pricey Bendtner for now.
Top 3 targets: Mike Jensen (10.5 MID), Fredrik Midtsjo (8.5 MID), Nicklas Bendtner (12.5 FWD)
Brann
After a shock relegation despite being title contenders in 2014, Brann bounced straight back up the following year. They used that momentum and enjoyed a successful return to the top division, eventually finishing second. Brann’s excellent defence is expected to do well this season as well, especially as Piotr Leciejewski (5.5) might be the best goalkeeper in the league. Early investment in Brann players could pay dividends as their opening few fixtures seem favourable.
Top 3 targets: Fredrik Haugen (9.0 MID), Vito Wormgoor (5.5 DEF), Torgeir Børven (9.0 FWD)
Odd
Starting last season with six consecutive clean sheets, Odd laid the foundations for what turned out to be a third place finish and Europa League qualification. The last 24 games only saw three additional clean sheets but Odd will nonetheless provide excellent defensive options. Espen Ruud (6.5) might prove to be the most essential player in the game. To go along with his nine clean sheets, the right back also managed five goals and eight assists last season.
Top 3 targets: Espen Ruud (6.5 DEF), Fredrik Nordkvelle (9.0 MID), Sondre Rossbach (5.5 GK)
Haugesund
Expect the unexpected when Haugesund are playing. One season they battle for the Europa League places, the next they fight for survival. Given they finished fourth last season, this year their assets may be best avoided! Defensively Haugesund are not much to write home about. Their midfielders have to bear the burden if they are to replicate last year’s form.
Top 3 targets: Haris Hajradinovic (7.5 MID), Erik Huseklepp (8.5 MID), Ibrahim Shuaibu (5.0 FWD)
Molde
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s second period as Molde manager has failed to reach the heights of his first stint at the club thus far. Back then he led Molde to back-to-back titles, whilst his latest reign has resulted in 6th and 5th placed finishes. With a wealth of options in every position, picking the right Molde players could be a minefield. Solskjær’s preferred tactic seems to be resting players from time to time. Heavy investment in Molde’s assets is probably best avoided to start with.
Top 3 targets: Bjorn Sigurdarson (9.0 FWD), Sander Svendsen (8.5 MID), Mattias Mostrom (6.5 MID)
Sarpsborg
A stable mid table team for the last couple of seasons, Sarpsborg normally go about their business quietly. They do not concede many but they do not score that many either. In fact, their most prolific attacker finished 40th in terms of attacking returns last season. Big things are therefore expected of the attacking minded Krepin Diatta (6.0), an easy on the eye Senegalese U20 international who arrived last month. A Sarpsborg defender could be a must have as they managed 13 clean sheets in the last campaign, with nine of them coming on home soil.
Top 3 targets: Krepin Diatta (6.0 MID), Sigurd Rosted (5.5 DEF), Jonas Lindberg (5.5 FWD)
Strømsgodset
After being a top side since the beginning of the decade, Strømsgodset found themselves finishing mid table last season. They produce fluent attacking play and are a joy to watch, especially at home. Jonathan Parr (6.0) provides us with a potential OOP option. Listed as a defender, the former Crystal Palace and Ipswich left back played a lot on the left wing last autumn. The signing of the experienced left back Stian Ringstad (5.5) could mean a permanent shift to the wing for Parr.
Top 3 targets: Jonathan Parr (6.0 DEF), Marcus Pedersen (10.5 FWD), Lars Vilsvik (6.0 DEF)
Viking
There is not much buzz around Viking at the moment. Kwesi Appiah (7.0) has been signed on loan from Crystal Palace. Despite only being 26, this will be the striker’s sixteenth club in his senior career. Whether he can settle in and finally make it count remains to be seen. With an unfavourable set of fixtures to start the season, overlooking Viking options for the opening might be the best solution.
Top 3 targets: Kwesi Appiah (7.0 FWD), Julian Ryerson (4.5 DEF) Samuel Adegbenro (7.5 MID)
Aalesund
Highest goalscorer from last season still in the league this term is Mos (8.5). He will undoubtably be key this year as well but he is not the only threat Aalesund pose. Most of their goals in the pre season have come from set pieces. Centre back Mantyla has scored three goals without even starting a game but it is another centre back stealing the limelight. Daniel Gretarsson (5.0) has also scored three goals from his four starts this winter. However, Aalesund do concede a lot of goals so any defensive investment has to be purely because of their set piece threat.
Top 3 targets: Mos (8.5 FWD), Edwin Gyasi (7.5 MID), Daniel Gretarsson (5.0 DEF)
Vålerenga
Being the only representation from the capital, Vålerenga have failed to live up to expectations for a good few years. This season they have hired the services of former Celtic manager Ronny Deila. An attacking minded leader, Deila made his name at Strømsgodset where he took the team to league glory in 2013. After years of struggle to get permission and finances to build their own stadium on their side of the city, Vålerenga will finally be moving to their new home mid season. This will likely give them a solid boost throughout the season.
Top 3 targets: Ghayas Zahid (10.5 MID), Mohammed Abdellaoue (9.5 FWD), Markus Nakkim (5.0 DEF)
Sogndal
Gilbert Koomson (7.5) was the only assister in the league to reach double figures last season. However, that is a steep price tag for a player in a team that most likely will be in for a relegation battle. Sogndal had a good defence last season but the latest results in pre season do not exactly look encouraging. Still, if they can replicate some of that defensive form then they have several decent budget options in their team.
Top 3 targets: Matias Dyngeland (4.5 GK), Bjørn Utvik (4.5 DEF), Gilbert Koomson (7.5 MID)
Lillestrøm
Celebrating their 100 years anniversary, Lillestrøm will be hoping they avoid the dogfight this time around. They were dead and buried with five games to play but managed to survive by collecting 11 points from those games. Most of the players are very generously priced, probably reflected by last year’s finish. Lillestrøm should be competing for a place in the upper half of the table. If they manage to do that then there are a few potential bargains in their squad. Daniel Fernandes (4.0) has impressed in pre season, if he can nail done a starting spot then that provides us with an excellent budget goalkeeper.
Top 3 targets: Daniel Fernandes (4.0 GK), Bajram Ajeti (6.5 FWD), Chigozie Udoji (6.0 MID)
Tromsø
Defensively Tromsø are not a good unit. The onus will be on their attacking play. People will recognise Morten Gamst Pedersen (5.5) from his time at Blackburn. After struggling with injuries last season, the set piece specialist is set to claim a place in the centre of midfield. Some calmness in the middle of the park may be exactly what Tromsø need as their passing accuracy of 68.7 % was the worst in the league.
Top 3 targets: Aron Sigurdarson (6.5 MID), Sloboan Vuk (7.0 FWD), Morten Gamst Pedersen (5.5 MID)
Stabæk
Stabæk were favourites to go down in 2015 but thanks to the heroics of Bob Bradley they managed to finish third. During that summer they lost top scorer Adama Diomande to Hull, whilst Bradley left before the 2016 season. Stabæk barely recovered from those losses and somehow just about managed to survive. They are in for another tough season but they do have a couple of cheap prospects to keep an eye on.
Top 3 targets: Moussa Njie (5.5 MID), Luc Kassi (6.0 MID), Hanche-Olsen (4.5 DEF)
Kristiansund
Thirteen years after the club was formed, Kristiansund won the second tier and gained promotion to the top division for the first time. The promotion campaign was thanks to a good defence and a red hot striker. Daouda Bamba (6.5) scored 20 and assisted twice in 28 games. The Ivorian is young and fearless, and is sure to be amongst the goals also in this league.
Top 3 targets: Daouda Bamba (6.5 FWD), Aliou Coly (4.5 DEF), Sean McDermott (4.0 GK)
Sandefjord
Also gaining promotion prior to this season, Sandefjord are favourites to go straight back down. Genuine fantasy options are therefore far and few between, however they might provide a couple of bench fodder options. Seven defeats and no clean sheets in nine pre season games tells they are in for a very rough ride.
Top 3 targets: Erik Mjelde (6.0 MID), Andre Sødlund (4.5 MID), Flamur Kastrati (6.0 FWD)
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