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Fantasy Eliteserien: 2018 Season Preview – Part 1

It is finally back. Last year the Norwegian top flight got it’s very own Fantasy game, and given its spring to autumn season it dovetailed nicely with the Fantasy Premier League game we know and love.

With more than 500 FFScout teams taking part, last season’s inaugural Fantasy Eliteserien proved to be a surprise success story among the community.

Ahead of next season’s launch on 10 March, MrKlin and Niemi have teamed up to guide you through the forthcoming campaign.

The Norwegian language version of the game can be found here here. This season the game’s creators have developed an English language version, which can be found here.

It is also worth checking out how last season panned out in this article –  Fantasy Eliteserien – Season Review.

The Game

The game itself comes from the same creators as FPL, and as such the game is very familiar to us all. The main differences are man-in-the-stand bonus points and the chips in play.

The Norwegian Eliteserien offers us players from 16 teams to choose from across a 30 Gameweek campaign, from March to late November.

The “man-in-the-stand” bonus will be familiar with FPL veterans and boils down to the commentators for the game handing out bonus-points as they see fit from the game performance.

In theory this could help some of the “invisible” players in a game, like the defensive midfielders and other overlooked workhorses, but in reality you’ll notice little difference to who gets points in FPL – other than not being able to predict it accurately before they are actually given.

This season they have added chips to the game as well, which are different from those used in FPL.

The Fantasy Eliteserien chips are:

“Parkere Bussen” – Literal translation “Parking the Buss” – essentially a captaincy on the entire defence (double points on all defenders)

“Spissrush” – Striker rush – double points on all strikers

“To kapteiner” – Two captains – Get your captain-points from both the captain and vice captain

Key Players 

Being a mid-to-low level league in Europe, the trend is that the best players will be sold on. As such there are not too many stand-out stars that are a guaranteed must from season to season.

Despite this, there are some familiar old stagers who are excelling in Eliteserien  – most notably former Arsenal striker Niklas Bendtner. Now of last season’s champions Rosenborg the Dane was last season’s top goalscorer. The smart money is on him gracing at least half of all teams at the start of the new campaign.

Other notable names from last season that are still available in the league are the likes of Eirik Ulland Andersen, Basel Jradi, Gilbert Koomson, Torgil Gjertsen, Fredrik Haugen and Samuel Adegbenro.

On the flip-side, notable names from last season who do not figure again now are Krepin Diatta (Club Brügge), Milan Jevtovic (Antalyaspor), Carlos Grossmüller (Club Universitario de Deportes), Björn Bergman Sigurdarsson (Rostov) and Sigurd Rosted (KAA Gent).

This turnaround forces Eliteserien managers to find the new gems each season, and makes it all the more important to stay on top of emerging form and hype-trains – something the FFS community did admirably at last season.

It is also worth noting that the Norwegian transfer window is open until April 4th, so internal transfers in the league, as well as signings from foreign clubs, can still happen long after the Gameweeks start rolling in.

Coming Up

Moving closer to season start, we will publish part two of our 2018 Eliteserien preview – offering more detailed insight into the teams and the key  players to target, as well as those to avoid.

FFScout Competitions

As mentioned, FFSscout had a decent presence in the game last season, and we are hoping for a return of our three main leagues also this season. More details about these will be announced in due course.

FantasyFootballScout
FFS H2H
PD KNOCKOUT LMS

189 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Quiff
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I tried to enter a team a few times through the English-language version of the site, but it kept returning me to the blank 'Pick your squad' screen. I tried on the original Norwegian-language site and it worked first time (ended up autopicking a team as I didn't want to waste time manually picking 15players if it wasn't going to process). If anyone else has the same issue then try this - I might work for you.

    (Was going to post this as a reply to the comment announcing the English-language site but I fear it would be lost up there).

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You should be able to access the english site now, too. I am at least.

  2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    VG Lupin has Lehne Olsen starting with Knudtzon up front in a 4-4-2. Is this likely to happen, and if it does, does Knudtzon completely outclass Lehne Olsen as an option?

    1. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Personally think Knudtzon will play out wide this season. Remains to be seen.

      He's also been linked with a move to Molde.

      1. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Lehne Olsen has also played out wide in the past but LSK obviously bought him to play up front given his form last season

  3. LONG LIVE ZOLA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A) Mahrez and Wilson
    B) Vardy and Deulofeu

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A - but you are posting these questions on the wrong article, re post it on the latest one and you will get more answers.

  4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Heintz?

    Will he be a regular this season?

    1. MrKlin of Norway
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He is of interest, has played a lot in the friendlies, but there is a small uncertainty as to is he nailed on or not. Zachariassen will likely step up and into the limelight, but will Heintz do the same? I don't know...

    2. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      They have signed loads of players this summer so it's hard to say who's nailed at Sarpsborg.

      1. MrKlin of Norway
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Very true, if friendlies give any indication these should start:
        Aslak Falch

        Amin Askar, xxxx, xxxx, Nikola Tkalcic

        Ole Jørgen Halvorsen, Kristoffer Zachariassen, xxxx, xxxx

        xxxx , Patrick Mortensen

        So we have doubts as to who fills the 2 remaining midfield slots between Lund Nielsen, Heintz and Muhammed
        Also not set in stone who will partner Mortensen up top, although Schwartz has looked sharp pre-season.
        And I have NO idea who will be their central defenders this season.

        1. Niemi
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Kristiansen is the first choice keeper as far as I know, but he's been injured in preseason i think

        2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Wow, that’s a big put off for me then, think I will look elsewhere!

          Think Heintz will be one to monitor then as he could become a real asset if he cements a starting place.

  5. MrKlin of Norway
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Part 2 should be coming pretty soon, where we'll be looking at the teams themselves first, give you an idea on what kind of position they have in the league, what kind of football to expect and some key players and advice for each.

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Good stuff, thanks !

  6. VS10_
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Does Hedenstad have any competition for his place this season or pretty much nailed again?

    1. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He has competition from Reitan and most people think Hedenstad is the weakest link of the team.

      1. MrKlin of Norway
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Part of the story there though, Dahl Reitan twisted his ancle in the first training of the year and is still recovering with alternative training. Doubt he'll play much in the first half of the season. Probably get much more time on the pitch when European Qualifiers show up during the summer

  7. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    This should be the year of bargain strikers, with only two forwards worth more than 10 mil.

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Surely some will step up

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You daring to go without Bendtner?

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe. Depends. It's always less fun to play when you've got a 13 mil striker soaking up funds.

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Last season I didn’t start with him and luckily he was useless to begin with. Put I bought him for the second half and he was basically essential as he was scoring goals after goals after goals every game.

          Think I’m going to start with him to be safe.

          1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            I suppose for me it's Bendtner and 6.5 mid or Adegbenro and 8.5 striker. If Bendtner shows form right up until the end of pre season I can make the sacrifice.

    3. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Well, I haven't really found anyone exciting in the sub 6.5m bracket yet. I must say I was surprised Opseths (Bodø Glimt) price got set at 7.5m, That's fairly high for a striker for a newly promoted team! To be fair, he put in a lot of goals in the OBOS league last season, but still..

  8. MrKlin of Norway
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Big day of friendlies today, 2 weeks before league start:

    Strømsgodset - Sarpsborg08
    Rosenborg - Ruben Kazan
    FK Haugesund - Kristiansund BK
    IK Start - Bodø/Glimt
    Molde - Dinamo Brest

    From here on in we should see a starting 11 crystalising in a good few teams

  9. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Morten Gamst Pedersen an option at 5.5 for Tromso?

    1. MrKlin of Norway
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I was kinda shocked at that price, he had the most assists last season and I don't see why he shouldn't keep that up....

      1. Ramboros
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Current OOP defenders:

        Nilsen - Tromsø - LWB/LW - Nailed on - Has been playing as a winger in 4-3-3 but will play as a wing back if they revert to 3-4-3. Nailed on starter.
        Tønne - Ranheim - LW - First choice - Will likely only feature on the wing in 4-3-3 when he plays. Foosnæs and Walker compete for LB.
        Stølås - Haugesund - LB/LM - Nailed on - Played on the left in midfield in 4-4-2 in today's friendly. FKH signed a new CB so Skjerve can push Stølås higher up the pitch. Nailed on starter.
        Nilsen - Haugesund - CM - Rotation risk - Will likely compete with Grindheim and Leite for a spot in the team. Doesn't benefit a lot from being OOP. Could fill in at LB and make Stølås a permanent winger.
        Askar - Sarpsborg 08 - RB/RM/LM - First choice - Sarpsborg has a lot of alternatives in midfield which could make Askar a better option if he simply nails down the right back rather than play on the wing.
        Rolantsson - Brann - RB/LB/LW - Backup - Fills in where the team is lacking options. Brann have a foreigner too many and Rolantsson might end up not being registered as he's in his last year of contract.

      2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cool, think I might snaffle him up. If Tromdo look good.

    2. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, think he'll be good value and he's in my team for now. Tricky to decide which TIL options are the best. Åsen at 7m should also do well, jury out on strikers.

      Wangberg could be dangerous to go without due to high ownership (40%!) but he'll need to remain a goal threat and bonus magnet to be worth it. Kongshavn looks like a reasonable GK at 4.5m, as does Ødegaard at CB.

      Knew Nilsen was getting more minutes in various positions and he scored a couple the other day, but if he's nailed as Ramboros says below then he could be a must have.

      1. MrKlin of Norway
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Wangberg is top pick since they've not wiped last seasons points from the transfer-page yet, no way he'll keep up the production imo...

        1. TallestJohn
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Good point, proven by Rolantsson being 18% owned despite becoming a squad player towards the end of last season.

          At least Wangberg is nailed and Gamst is still there to deliver set pieces.

  10. Ramboros
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Current OOP defenders:

    Nilsen - Tromsø - LWB/LW - Nailed on - Has been playing as a winger in 4-3-3 but will play as a wing back if they revert to 3-4-3. Nailed on starter.
    Tønne - Ranheim - LW - First choice - Will likely only feature on the wing in 4-3-3 when he plays. Foosnæs and Walker compete for LB.
    Stølås - Haugesund - LB/LM - Nailed on - Played on the left in midfield in 4-4-2 in today's friendly. FKH signed a new CB so Skjerve can push Stølås higher up the pitch. Nailed on starter.
    Nilsen - Haugesund - CM - Rotation risk - Will likely compete with Grindheim and Leite for a spot in the team. Doesn't benefit a lot from being OOP. Could fill in at LB and make Stølås a permanent winger.
    Askar - Sarpsborg 08 - RB/RM/LM - First choice - Sarpsborg has a lot of alternatives in midfield which could make Askar a better option if he simply nails down the right back rather than play on the wing.
    Rolantsson - Brann - RB/LB/LW - Backup - Fills in where the team is lacking options. Brann have a foreigner too many and Rolantsson might end up not being registered as he's in his last year of contract.

    1. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Haugesund's new CB is on trial though, they haven't signed him yet.

    2. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lasse Nilsen was one of the first names when I picked my initial team. Brilliant player, will most likely play LWB but could play LW

    3. MTPockets
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Currently have Stølås. Hope you're right about extra potential, but either way just think he's a good player from watching last season + corners.

    4. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Got a tip from a local Stabæk-fan saying that Brynhildsen (5.0m) will be great budget option this season. I don't know much about him myself, but I'll be sure to keep an eye on the lineups.

    5. MTPockets
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Fixture ticker - https://imgur.com/a/qWBko

        May not fully agree on difficulties - based on amended H/A ratings proposed page 1.
        Haven't uploaded actual s/sheet as too many formulas to explain, but hope can help to start with.

        1. MTPockets
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Actually, simpler xls version uploaded: http://www.filedropper.com/eliteserien2018
            Can edit ratings on Tickerrank tab (thanks to whoever made last season's version - entirely plagiarised yours)

          • Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers

        2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Kippe a good option this season again?

          1. MrKlin of Norway
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Kippe is over 40 now, I guess he is a good option as they come, but I'm always sceptical to the old dogs.

            1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Cheers. Might go for Haakenstaad and cash.

        3. Tacalabala
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          How do you pronounce the names of the teams? I suspect I must be getting Bodo/Glimt wrong!

        4. MTPockets
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Pre-season info: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ficmvwab2f2o1r/Treningskamper%2C%20lag%20for%20lag.xlsx?dl=0
            (from here - https://twitter.com/FotballfeberESN/status/967702275492843520)

            Don't think it's fully updated, but pretty good resource.