Earlier than usual in a Norwegian top flight season we embark on the first double Gameweek of the season. Here we’ll preview the key players to target and also look back at the lessons learned from the last set of fixtures.
Gameweek 4 Preview
Vålerenga – Strømsgodset
(Saturday, 5:00 P.M.)
Vålerenga were brought down to earth against Sarpsborg, after winning their two first games. Despite the loss, Sam Johnson looked dangerous and is worth monitoring.
Strømsgodset had a really poor game against Brann, despite almost getting all three points after a bizarre own goal by Brann’s Acosta. The absence of Jradi and Ulland Andersen surely played a big part. it will be vital to Strømsgodset to get at least one of them back for this game. Jradi is likely to return to training towards the end of the week, so he should be in contention for the game. Ulland Andersen’s recovery is going well, but no definite word on when he’s back.
Brann – Kristiansund BK
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
Brann have had a solid start to the season, despite a fluke own goal seeing them draw with Strømsgodset. This time they are taking on Kristiansund at home, another team that has a decent start. Key assets from Brann, like Haugen and Wormgoor, are worth an investment. Koomson have also been showing promising signs so far.
From Kristiansund we see signs that Gjertsen is back to playable form, and one to keep an eye on. We’ll back Brann to win here.
FK Haugesund – Sarpsborg 08
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
This game looks hard to call. Both teams have had an impressive start to the season, and look pretty solid at the back. Could this be the first 0-0 of the season? Gytkjær from Haugesund and Mortensen from Sarpsborg have also enjoyed good starts up front, while Akintola is starting to look like a bargain at 5.5 for Haugesund.
Odd – Bodø/Glimt
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
Odd pulled off a draw against Rosenborg last game, but at a high cost, as three of their first-team regulars had to leave the pitch before halftime. This leaves a team short of numbers and it’s hard to say who the good picks could be. John Kitolano is still a good selection, while new signing Birk Risa was moved up front after Børven had to leave the game early with an injury.
Bodø/Glimt look wounded after their 0-3 defeat at home against Haugesund, and will be looking to right that wrong, with Kristian Fardal Opseth and Ulrik Saltnes still the main picks of the team. These are two classic 4-3-3 teams so look for early goals to open the floodgates here.
Sandefjord – Stabæk
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
This is the first of two home games for Sandefjord this Gameweek. They will be looking to build on their recent success with a victory over Stabæk, who were thumped by Ranheim in the last round. Storbæk, who was moved into the front three, looks key for the hosts, as does Olsen Holberg. There’s a question of who will keep the striker position out of Kastrati and Engblom. We advise monitoring Grorud and Kastrati, as both were subbed last time out with injuries.
Stabæk are gearing up for a double Gameweek in round 6, and we are looking closely at options like Ohi, Boli, Brochmann and Sæter as picks then.
Tromsø – Ranheim
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
Tromsø, who had a good game away against Molde, play host to high-flying debutants Ranheim in their first of two home matches this Gameweek. An efficient Molde team snatched a win, but Tromsø looked decent in that game and could well have been the first to scratch Molde’s paint. Managers are already familiar with the likes of Gamst Pedersen, Aasen, Wangberg and Nilsen as picks in this team, but newcomer Robert Taylor at 6.0 made himself known as a midfield option with a goal last time.
Ranheim, on the other hand, looked like Eliteserien veterans as they proceeded to pick Stabæk apart last round, drawing lots of interest before their first of two double Gameweeks. If you don’t have Erik Tønne by now, you’ve not payed attention, with Even Barli, Michael Karlsen and Kristoffer Løkberg (in the absence of Reginiussen) rising up as prime picks in the early season. Bonus magnet Christian Eggen Bismarck looks a good defensive option.
Rosenborg – Molde
(Sunday, 7:00 P.M.)
These teams were expected to battle for the top spots this season, but only Molde have got off the mark so far. Reigning champions Rosenborg have looked dreadful in their first three matches, showing no signs of the league supremacy everyone expected. This has left many Fantasy managers fleeing from their high priced assets in search of value elsewhere. Despite this, there is some value to be found in Helland, as his free kicks tend to be dangerous despite overall poor performances everywhere else.
In contrast, Molde offer a wealth of options that are only marred by Solskjær’s rotation policy. Choices like Brustad, Amang, Aursnes, Haugen and Linde are popular, as long as they play. You could play both Rosenborg and any Molde asset you own, but as far as transfers go, you’d be better off staying away from this game.
Lillestrøm – IK Start
(Monday, 6:00 P.M.)
Lillestrøm have been awful at the back, conceding seven in their first there games, mostly due to goalkeeping blunders. Despite this, they have managed to score, and it’s the midfield options that stand out for points here. Erling Knudtzon picked up where he left off last season, and is alternating between striker and winger – looking a threat in both positions. Aleksander Melgalvis was an early victim to rotation, but has since cemented a starting berth and looks a bargain on the wing at 5.5. There is a case for drafting in Lehne Olsen as a striker, but he’ll likely be ignored in the clamour for double Gameweek assets.
IK Start were huge favorites last round, to the point that many were punting a captaincy on the likes of Kevin Kabran or Kristian Floki Finnbogason. Floki came good with a goal and had a good game overall, but nobody saw a 1-4 crushing defeat to Sandefjord coming. They will be looking to hit back fast. In addition to the mentioned players, Elliot Käck has looked a decent threat moving forward.
Sandefjord – Ranheim
(Wednsday, 5:30 P.M.)
This is the second match in the Gameweek for both these teams, who both won 4-1 in the previous round and should still be full of confidence, whatever the outcome of the first match. We’ve already looked over the players, sufficient to say that unlocking this game could be key to your double Gameweek haul.
Tromsø – Strømsgodset
(Wednsday, 5:30 P.M.)
This double Gameweek match looks hard to predict. Tromsø looked better and are tough to beat on home turf. Jradi should definitely be back for this game for Strømsgodset.
Double Gameweek Strategy
Entering into the first double gameweek of the season, the general consensus is to play chips now, as we can not be guaranteed another after Gameweek 6 is done and dusted. As such, many have already burned a wildcard ahead of Gameweek 3 in order to get their team ready, while some are contemplating wildcards in Gameweek 5.
Sandefjord scored on every chance they got and pulled out a big win ahead of their double home games, making their players tempting. Unknown quantity Ranheim came in to Eliteserien with a bang and a fanfare, pulling out a debut 4-1 win at home against Stabæk, and in the process proving they have the strongest Twitter-game of the lot. Cult hero Karlsen at Ranheim is a prime candidate for any striker rush-musings as they feature in both double Gameweeks.
Tromsø lost again, and are now firmly at the bottom of the league. But match reports indicate Molde had to dig deep to pull off a win out against them.
Strømsgodset, who before this round were one of the most exciting prospects for this double set of matches, ran into trouble as their top target Jradi booked himself on the injury-list with illness, joining Ulland-Andersen, who is on his way back from recent surgery. This has left the team looking somewhat shaken. All eyes are on the recovery-progress for these two key players, as well as top striker Marcus Pedersen’s form.
So what to do? Well, all three chips look viable for this first double Ggameweek. Striker rush with Karlsen, Pedersen and a third (Mortensen, Skålevik or Gytkjær perhaps) looks tempting and could provide a much sought boost. Double Captain should also provide a wealth of options provided you can tease out the best two double Gameweek heroes in an eclectic bunch of fixtures.
And Park the Bus brings out some real prospects, with the likes of Ranheim’s winger Eirik Tønne, Tromsø’s wing back Lasse Nilsen and former DGW hero Wangberg, Sandefjord’s wing back and set piece maestro Olsen Solberg, cheap option Grorud, as well as strong premium defenders from Strømsgodset all vying for spots in your squads.
Scout Picks
We introduce a scout-pick with NO chip in mind, just what we consider the best XI on it’s own for this Gameweek.
Niemi’s picks for Gameweek 4
Barli
Tønne – Nilsen – Olsen Solberg – Wormgoor
Helland – Haugen – Åsen – Storbæk
Pedersen (K) – Karlsen
MrKlin’s picks for Gameweek 4
Barli
Tønne – Vilsvik – Wormgoor
Knudtzon – Saltnes – Åsen – Storbæk
Karlsen (K) – Floki – Pedersen
Key Links
Official source for lineups, normally 1hr 15m before kick off.
