Many Fantasy Eliteserien managers will be eager to move on to the next set of fixtures and forget a disastrous Gameweek 2, which was dogged by surprise benching, underperforming stars and the weather getting the better of Tromsø’s clash with Stromsgodset.
But before we look ahead to Gameweek 3 let’s catch up on the latest developments regarding double Gameweeks.
Double Gameweek Updates
A number of postponed games have now been rescheduled and we can get to planning our double gameweeks properly.
Gameweek 4 Doubles:
Vålerenga – Strømsgodset
Tromsø – Ranheim
Sandefjord – Stabæk
Sandefjord – Ranheim
Tromsø – Strømsgodset
Gameweek 6 Doubles:
Brann – Stabæk
Lillestrøm – Ranheim
Rosenborg – Start
Stabæk – Start
Ranheim – Brann
Gameweek 3 Preview
All but one game starts on Monday at 5:00 P.M and as usual the team sheets will be out before deadline, so there is lots of room to make inspired 11th hour moves.
Bodø/Glimt – FK Haugesund
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
Bodø have spent their easter sharpening their goal-threat, while Haugesund have made a major defensive signing. With the extra signing we are once again looking at a possibility of Stølås at Haugesund playing out of position, while Gytkjær picked up another two goals in a mid-easter friendly. New signing Benjamin Karamoko from St.Etienne comes in at 5.0 but it may pay to wait to see if he will be a regular starter. We are backing Bodø as a slight favorite here, with loads of goal-threat in Opseth, Saltnes and a likely return of Trond Olsen on the wing. Jens Petter Hauge has looked sharped so far, although he started on the bench against Brann.
IK Start – Sandefjord
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
Sandefjord have had a terrible winter, and that continued as they lost to a tier two team in a friendly this easter. They have made a potentially strong move signing Watford defender Andrew Eleftheriou on loan, but this game should come too soon to punt on him. This leaves IK Start massive favorites, and we are looking to Floki, Kabran and penalty taker Larsen as the best picks in this encounter.
Kristiansund BK – Lillestrøm
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
This game is very hard to call. Kristiansund came close to getting all three points against Rosenborg last time out, despite being dominated for most of the game. Gjertsen and Bamba should be the major threat from Kristiansund, with Stoke is sidelined a few more weeks. Lehne Olsen is facing a race to be fit for this one, but he’s not far off. Melgalvis was surprisingly benched, but came on to score a goal. Maric had a nightmare of a game, and has been a big disappointment. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the bench soon.
Molde – Tromsø
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
Molde assets could be this week’s highest scorers with the team overflowing with possible picks. There are worries Sarr will be suspended by the club (or benched) due to other circumstances, so we advise you steer clear despite the increased ownership so far. Linde is the prime option in goal, while we look at several names moving forward, in Hestad, Brustad, Aursnes and Amang. Be wary of rotation, Chima scored his first goal in a friendly, Wadji scored in both friendlies during the break and Haaland scored a hat-trick for Norway U19.
Tromsø options are dodgy for this game, but some picks might be worth while preparing for DGW, in Morten Gamst-Pedersen, Gjermund Åsen or Lasse Nilsen.
Ranheim – Stabæk
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
Ranheim line up for their Eliteserien debut almost a month after everyone else as they host Stabæk. All eyes are on this game to weigh up the potential double Gameweek picks from both teams, with Barli, Tønne and Karlsen at Ranheim playing theirs next Gameweek, and Stabæk completing a great run of promising fixtures from this round up until their double Gameweek 6, as Ohi, Boli, Hou Sæter and Brochmann look to score big. Ranheim will be without key man Mads Reginiussen, who picked up an injury in training that will keep him out for around three to six weeks.
Sarpsborg 08 – Vålerenga
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
These are two teams decidedly on track so far this season. We look to home advantage to separate them, in what should be a close match. A slight injury worry for Amin Askar cools prospects there, but Zachariassen remains a top choice. Mortensen is the safe striker choice.
Vålerenga also offer up some enticing options, with Ejuke, Johnson, Tollås Nation and Juklerød all having delivered so far. Johnson in particular looks a good Fantasy option.
Strømsgodset – Brann
(Monday, 5:00 P.M.)
Strømsgodset disappointed in the first Gameweek, before having their second game called off. Brann on the other hand looked solid (but nothing more) against Bodø/Glimt. Jradi and Pedersen are the standout picks for Strømsgodset, as well as Ulland Andersen when he’s back. There have been some suggestions that he won’t be out for long. Wormgoor showed his value scoring a penalty and receiving maximum bonus points, while Skålevik returned a goal. Haugen looked central to Brann’s attack, while Koomson had an okay debut. We’ll back Strømsgodset to win here on home turf.
Odd – Rosenborg
(Monday, 7:00 P.M.)
This is the main match of the day in our opinion. Rosenborg have failed to live up to their hype and reputation, leaving many lamenting a quarter of their budget tied up in blanking players. Things do not look easier as they go away to Odd, a team that traditionally has a good grip on Rosenborg, and who, despite a poor start, have proved likely to score in every game.
All eyes are on the Helland vs. Kitolano duel down the right flank, with the usual suspects, such as Bendtner on people’s mind from Rosenborg. Adegbenro limped off in a friendly vs. Ranheim this week, and is expected to be out for about six weeks. De Lanlay might be a differential pick if it becomes clear he is out.
Close looks at Børven and Rashani at Odd is tickling some people’s imagination, with Kitolano still a cheep option despite some indications he might be rotation-prone soon. Despite everything, Rosenborg are still favorites here.
Scout Picks
We finally have a full league to pick from, and think these line-ups could provide some sorely needed points to a few managers out there.
Niemi’s picks for Gameweek 3
Linde
Hedenstad – Haugen – Larsen
Helland – Kabran (K) – Saltnes – Hestad
Pedersen – Opseth – Ohi
MrKlin’s picks for Gameweek 3
Linde
Käck – Reginiussen – Haugen
Zachariassen – Hestad – Helland (K) – Kabran
Opseth – Amang – Ohi
Key Links
Official source for lineups, normally 1hr 15m before kick off.
Preseason spreadsheet – all credit go to @FotballfeberESN on Twitter
MT Pocket’s Fixture ticker.
WhoScored – Results, table, detailed player and team stats.
