This third part of our preview series for the forthcoming Fantasy Eliteserien campaign looks in detail at last season’s bottom half of the table sides, as well as the three new arrivals to the Norwegian top flight.
For more information about key players to consider and how to play the game see part one . Details of last season’s top eight sides can be found in part two.
Meanwhile, 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.
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Last Season’s Bottom Half of the Table Sides
Stabæk
We start this latest team by team preview with a look at Stabæk’s young charges. With this side’s emphasis on youth their performances can be erratic but there are gems among their ranks. Last season Ohi impressed up front and veteran Morten Skjønsberg was another to do well.
Pros: The young team profile does have some talent waiting to break out, and can provide the surprise differentials needed to provide an edge to your fantasy campaign. It helps that they have as yet not sold the second most prolific goalscorer of last season, Ohi, and have also kept their best attacking midfielders.
Cons: The side’s lack of experience can be found out at times. They have also lost the influential Tortol Lumanza-Lembi before this season. He leaves a huge gap to fill.
Notable players: Ohi Omoijuanfo (FWD, 9.0), Luc Kassi (MID, 6.5), Tonny Brochmann (MID, 7.0), Andreas Hanche-Olsen (DEF, 4.5), Jeppe Moe (DEF, 4.5)
Advice: If Omoijuanfo stays at Stabæk he will be a solid pick. Kassi and Brochmann will be worth keeping an eye on, especially if they’re reasonably priced.
FK Haugesund
This is the Norwegian leagues closest equivalent to Burnley. Last season they kept 12 clean sheets last, a tally only bettered by champions Rosenborg (14). This resilience at the back is needed due to their lack of goalscorer, with the third lowest number of goals last season. provided the third least amount of goals. Christian Grindheim from Vålerenga has been recruited to improve their attacking threat, but with no other significant moves another Burnley style season awaits.
Pros: The team has a bit of a “boring” Fantasy-profile, and prices reflect this, offering a complete set of mid-to-low priced options in all areas.
Cons: A lack of goals in pre-season friendlies suggests that they will continue to struggle up front. Defence looks the best source of points, but if the clean sheet tally drops they are best swerved.
Notable players: Frederik Gytkjær (DEF, 6.5), Alexander Stølås (DEF, 5.5), Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen (DEF, 5.0), Per Kristian Bråtveit (GKP, 5.0)
Advice: Haugesund offer a wealth of kindly priced defensive options, as long as you can live with the the lack of explosive returns. It is worth looking at a possible out-of-position run in midfield or the wing for left-back Stølås. The veteran midfielder Grindheim is another to monitor.
Tromsø
This side looked doomed halfway through last season at the bottom of the table but a change of head coach sparked them into life, securing their top flight status and unearthing some Fantasy gems. Defender Simen Wangberg plowed into a season dreamteam place at the back, while Gjermund Aasen proved essential to the Tromsø attack. In addition, former Blackburn man Morten Gamst-Pedersen rolled back the years, racking up a league high 11 assists.
Pros: The team is on the rise, and the new coach has finally had a pre-season to get his ideas and formations in place. Some of the key figures have signed on for new contracts, giving the team a welcome stability going into the new season.
Cons: However the departure of striker Lehne-Olsen is a blow, and replacing him could prove to be key as Aasen and Gamst-Pedersen need a receiver for their creative brilliance. Going into a new season, Mushaga Bakenga will likely be heavily adjusted away from his Rosenborg pricepoint, making him a possibility, provided he can avoid further injuries.
Notable players: Mushaga Bakenga (FWD, 7.5), Gjermund Aasen (MID, 7.0), Morten Gamst Pedersen (MID, 5.5) Simen Wangberg (DEF, 5.5), Lasse Nilsen (DEF, 5.0)
Advice: A central defender at Tromsø is unlikely to be first choice for a Fantasy team, perhaps instead look to Gjermund Aasen as a prime midfield option. Gamst-Pedersen, Bakenga, and a possible out-of-position Lasse Nilsen look enticing differentials.
Lillestrøm
Last season’s cup-winners hold the record for the longest uninterrupted stay in the Norwegian top flight, but have struggled to maintain their position for some years. Like Rosenborg, they celebrated 100 years as a club last season, and managed to pick up a cup trophy for their party. They did, however, have a very bumpy season, largely marred by failed striker purchases, a doping suspension to their goalkeeper, and a lot of players shuffling around out of position.
Pros: This team proved to be a goldmine for out-of-position players last season, and there could be more of the same this time around.
Cons: This team was all over the place last season, and have proven tough to predict. That lack of stability does not translate too well into Fantasy picks.
Notable players: Thomas Lehne-Olsen (FWD, 8.0), Erling Knudtzon (MID, 8.5), Aleksander Melgalvis (MID, 5.5), Fredrik Krogstad (MID, 5.5),
Advice: Keep a close eye on out-of-position players here. Other than that, set-piece chief Fredrik Krogstad will likely be a possible value-pick for your midfield, and all eyes are on Lehne-Olsen and his prospects as the striker Lillestrøm have been missing.
Sandefjord
This team is known for trying to be different at all costs, as the only Norwegian top flight side to field a 3-5-2 formation. This has cost them dearly with relegation in recent years, although their dare to be different approach did ensure they renewed their seat at the top table of Norwegian football last time around.
Pros: The team’s do-or-die ethos guarantees they give it all for every inch of pitch and every tackle, resulting in the strong chance of hard earned returns in any given match.
Cons: The man responsible for both the formation and the fighting spirit of the team, head coach Lars Bohinen, has left to join newly relegated Aalesund. We have little insight into what the new coach will bring to the table. It is also worth noting that the give-all attitude does take its toll on the players, making fatigue or injury a real possibility early.
Notable players: Flamur Kastrati (FWD, 6.5), Abdoulaye Seck (DEF, 5.0), Joachim Olsen Solberg (DEF, 5.0)
Advice: The uncertainty around Sandefjord makes them a side to monitor at first. Although it is worth noting that from Gameweek 2 they go on a monster run of kind fixtures, so be ready to jump on any likely form-player emerging. Kastrati, if nailed on, could be a strong budget third striker option, especially as he has penalties in his locker and a reputation for tenacity on the pitch.
The Promoted Sides
Bodø/Glimt
This side are another of Norway’s traditional 4-3-3 teams, with close ties to Rosenborg inspiring similar play-styles and even player exchanges over the years. They were the powerhouse in the second tier last season, topping the division with an amazing 81 goals in 30 games, with their top scorer Kristian Opseth registering a record 28 successful strikes.
Pros: As a newly promoted team, the prices are likely to be low for players here. Given their goalscoring record in the second tier last season, and the disparity in quality being quite small in Norwegian football, there could be a raft of budget gems among their ranks.
Cons: Newly promoted teams are not known for their attacking threat so there is a danger that last season’s swashbuckling displays could be curtailed. Promotion also tends to mean shifts in the squad, and we look forward to seeing how that plays out.
Notable players: Kristian Opseth (FWD, 7.5), Ulrik Saltnes (MID, 6.5), Trond Olsen (MID, 6.5)
Advice: Opseth is the one to watch in the upcoming campaign, but is recovering from surgery and still not in optimal shape, although he is playing now. There is also some expectation tied to veteran winger Trond Olsen, who is listed as a midfielder. Ulrik Saltnes provides a box-to-box midfield option on the budget side of things.
IK Start
Start return to the top flight with big ambitions but it remains to be seen whether these will be realised. They are another to opt for a 4-3-3 formation.
Pros: They have significantly beefed up their squad this time around, giving enticing options for Fantasy managers. Espen Børufsen at 29 is one of a few experienced players at Start, having played for the club since 2006 and consistently provided goals and assists. New signing Kevin Kabran, with a decent track record from the Swedish second tier, could be one to monitor, while 17-year-old creative midfielder Tobias Christensen could emerge as a budget pick. Centre back Simon Larsen is also one of few experienced players in the squad, and he’s a decent threat from set pieces.
Cons: As previously stated, there is some fear of ambition backlash here, and both real world enthusiasm and Fantasy patience will evaporate quickly if they fail to live up to their own pre-season hype. They have a young and inexperienced squad, with some of their key players being 17-20 years old, so it’s hard to tell who will step up. There is also some doubt as to who is going to start up front and score the goals.
Notable players: Kristjan Floki Finnbogason (FWD, 6.0), Kevin Kabran (MID, 6.5), Aron Sigurdarson (MID, 6.0), Tobias Christensen (MID, 5.5), Simon Larsen (DEF, 5.0), Elliot Käck (DEF, 4.5)
Advice: Keep an eye on starting lineups. Start could be the place to go for budget options, and have an on paper decent opening league run.
Ranheim
This semi-pro team made the top flight through the playoffs. It seems likely they will struggle to make the grade and are expected to be fighting relegation for much of the campaign. This team is something of a curiosity with a minimal budget, a handful of local talent, and facilities akin to English non-league.
Pros: With the “bottom of the barrel” expectations tied to this team, their players are certainly affordable and could provide some nice bench fodder options. Defender Erik Tønne is an out of position prospect to consider as he is likely to be fielded on the wing.
Cons: There is little or no expectations of steady returns in any position on this team.
Notable players: Michael Karlsen (FWD, 6.0), Mads Reginiussen (MID, 6.0), Erik Tønne (DEF, 4.5).
Advice: Don’t expect anything in the way of returns from this team. Making selections here should purely be an exercise in saving funds, with the outside chance of an occasional strong return.
