After another three-week break Fantasy Eliteserien finally returns. With 10 gameweeks left of the season things are getting serious. I’ll structure the article differently this time, focusing on latest transfers, injuries, suspensions and other notes.
TRANSFER NEWS
The transfer window in Norway closed before the last Gameweek, but a few key players have moved abroad and some clubs have signed players on free transfers.
Two key players have been sold. As expected, Fredrik Midtsjø moved to AZ Alkmaar before deadline. They bought Anders Trondsen as a replacement earlier in the window.
More surprisingly Ghayas Zahid moved abroad to APOEL. He will now get a chance to face Real Madrid, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. There is ome uncertainty in the Vålerenga midfield now as it’s not clear who’ll replace him.
Haris Hajradinovic has now been sold by Haugesund to Osijek in Croatia. Zahid and Hajradinovic’s departures deprive us two of the most exciting Double Gameweek 25 prospects, which is a shame.
A few clubs have also been signing players on free transfers. Viking have signed Ivorian striker Guessan Ghislain. He will probably get some gametime going forward.
Brann have signed a new keeper in Lars Cramer, due to Leciejewski’s injury woes and with backup keeper Horwath injured for the rest of the season. Cramer won’t play though unless he really has to.
Tromsø are also very close to signing ex-Barcelona keeper Ruben Mino, but some paperwork trouble may delay the transfer.
INJURY NEWS
Rosenborg defenders Tore Reginiussen and Vegar Eggen Hedenstad are back from injuries and will most likely start this weekend. In form striker Matthias Vilhjalmsson picked up an injury in a friendly and is out for the rest of the season. Pål Andre Helland is still struggling with injuries and could need an operation.
Piotr Leciejewski is expected to be back for Brann this weekend. He’s been struggling with an injury, but he did play a week ago in a friendly against Haugesund. He wasn’t completely fit and struggled to kick the ball, but he’s getting better and likely to play. Vito Wormgoor picked up an injury in training and is a doubt for Brann’s game against Sogndal on Saturday. Brann’s lineup will be out before deadline, so keep an eye on that one. Daniel Braaten is still out with an injury, but according to the man himself he could be back for Gameweek 22.
Other injured players includes Bård Finne from Vålerenga, Martin Broberg from Odd and Jakub Serafin from Haugesund who picked up injuries during the break.
A player who was expected to be out for the rest of the season returned two weeks ago. In the cup quarterfinals Aleksander Melgalvis scored a beautiful free kick for Lillestrøm. He’s still out of position and is again a great option.
Marcus Pedersen is a doubt for Strømsgodset’s game against Rosenborg this weekend, after picking up an injury in training
SUSPENSIONS
The list of suspended players this week is very long. Haugesund will be without key player Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen in their defence. Strømsgodset will be without both their centre backs Jakob Glesnes and Kim Andre Madsen, so Jonathan Parr will most likely slot in at centre back.
Christian Landu Landu is suspended for Tromsø, which means Gjermund Åsen could be moved back to central midfield. Other suspended players includes Marco Tagbajumi, Andre Danielsen, Mikkel Kirkeskov, Victor Demba Bindia, Kristoffer Zachariassen, Sondre Sørli, Daniel Gretarson, Lasse Nilsen and Simen Wangberg.
OTHER NEWS
Tromsø – Odd was originally moved to 27st September, but has since been shifted to 21st September instead. It’s still not moved within the game, but I personally think this means the Double Gameweek will be in Gameweek 22 instead of Gameweek 23. This is good news as both Odd and Tromsø have a home game in Gameweek 22 already.
Vålerenga are moving into their brand new stadium this Gameweek and it will be interesting to see how it affects them
Viking have been testing out a new formation with three at the back during the break. They do look more solid at , but are still struggling to score. It means Kristoffer Haugen and probably Claes Kronberg will start as wing backs. Haugen could be a particular strong option if Viking start keeping a few clean sheets, but for now it’s probably best to stay away.
I have probably missed out on some info. Please comment below if you have more news on injuries or other stuff.
