Those playing Norwegian top flight game Eliteserien have had to learn some hard lessons over the season so far.
Faith in defending champions Rosenborg is looking increasingly misplaced and Molde too look to have lost their edge, in spite of a succession of team tweaks.
In addition, clean sheets are looking like an endangered species and surprisingly Brann are the key team to invest in, due to their stellar recent form.
With these lessons in mind here is our look ahead to the next set of fixtures.
Gameweek 9 matches
Sandefjord – Vålerenga
(Saturday, 2:30 P.M.)
Vålerenga finally look like they’ve found their prolific goalscorer in Sam Johnson. He looks a strong option up front, especially for this tie against a Sandefjord-team in crisis.
The home side look incapable of keeping a clean sheet so backing Johnson, and midfielder Ejuke, looks a wise move this week.
At the moment there are no Sandefjord players really tickling our fancy, but it is worth noting that they have two playing 3.9 defenders. If their new coach gets things sorted, cut price offerings Lars Grorud and Andrew Eleftheriou, could prove to be perfect budget enablers.
IK Start – Brann
(Saturday, 5:00 P.M.)
Speaking of teams in crisis, Start are the only team to be even worse than Sandefjord at the moment, conceding the most goals in the league so far. Currently their defenders are more likely to earn cards rather than clean sheets.
They are visited by the aforementioned in-form Brann. By now you’ll have found that almost every Brann pick is viable, with Skålevik, Koomson and the entire back line leading the charge.
FK Haugesund – Kristiansund BK
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
Haugesund are a mid-table team that every now are capable of battling it out for top billing. This is one such season and they look set to keep hold of third spot and perhaps push on even higher given their current form.
We’ve already mentioned Akintola as the in form player of this team, with Gytkjær a strong striker option. Of late we have seen a resurgence in their defender prospects too, with the likes of Bråtveit, Skjerve and Stølås looking viable for selection.
Kristiansund have had a bumpy start to the season, but star player Gjertsen is back from injury and might offer a differential choice as he has shown he can still rack up points in the game. Bamba has also emerged as a differential striker pick from Kristiansund.
Molde – Bodø/Glimt
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
As a team, Molde look shaky these days, having exited the cup last week and conceded two goals against Sarpsborg last round.
There are those who are calling it a crisis for Molde as they gear up for European qualifiers this summer. This fixture serves up a big chance to turn it around, facing a slow-starting Bodø/Glimt team at home.
Linde is still the stable choice in a rotating Molde team, but young star striker Braut Holland’s stock is rising steadily after securing a starting role.
Bodø/Glimt ended last season with goalscoring records in the second tier, but have found the net least often in Eliteserien this time around. Not many options are tempting there, but we are keeping an eye on Saltnes as the steady play-every-minute choice should they find any form.
Ranheim – Odd
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
This clash is tough to call. Both teams can be considered in form and on the rise, and both look equally likely to score.
We’ll back Ranheim to get a result at home here, but picks from both teams are decent shouts. Tønne cements his spot in our squads having blanked last time out but impressing with a lovely nutmeg on Rosenborg’s Hedenstad. Mads Reginiussen proved once again how central he is to all of Ranheim’s scoring and sails up as the top pick outside of Tønne in this squad.
For Odd we have seen Rashani find a bit of form in his wing role. Another worth a punt is Broberg, who is currently taking on a striker role due to injuries up front. This arrangement will likely not last though. Old legend Espen Ruud, a fullback with set-piece duties and a mean shot, is also worth considering.
Strømsgodset – Sarpsborg 08
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
Both these teams are outside challengers for top spots, but have struggled to find consistency so far in the season.
This game can go either way, and currently their players look a tad too expensive just now. The exception is the consistent Marcus Pedersen, who has gotten off to a good start in the hunt for this season’s golden boot.
Both these teams are rife with midfield picks as well, but none looking very consistent as yet.
Tromsø – Lillestrøm
(Sunday, 5:00 P.M.)
Tromsø have looked bleak without their midfield maestro Gjermund Åsen in play. But he should return this weekend, and coupled with strong home form, makes them the favourites.
Elsewhere in the Tromsø selection list, you can find value in defence in Nilsen and Antonsen, in midfield with Åsen, Gamst Pedersen and out of position Berntsen, and in the striker ranks with Espejord.
Lillestrøm did find a win again in their last game, and Knudtzon has looked a stable choice in midfield, as he sports both winger and striker positions on the pitch.
Stabæk – Rosenborg
(Sunday, 7:00 P.M.)
The final match of the Gameweek sees Stabæk play hosts to stumbling league favorites Rosenborg.
Stabæk have yet to keep a single clean sheet this season, opening up some hope of returns from Rosenborg attacking options. With their high cost and sparse returns, you’d likely want to look further back on the pitch, with Hedenstad and Reginiussen still looking like strong options.
At Stabæk, Ohi has been the only real choice. But a start is not guaranteed on Sunday, after he missed last Gameweek and his side’s midweek cup tie. Brynhildsen has been one of the breakthrough players of the season so far, and is an excellent value pick at 4.9.
Scout Picks
We’ve started tracking our scout picks score, but please note that we did not post selections for Gameweek 1 and Gameweek 6.
Niemi’s picks for Gameweek 9 (342)
Bråtveit
Wormgoor (K) – Rolantsson – Tønne – Nilsen
Åsen – Koomson – Reginiussen
Johnson – Gytkjær – Braut Håland
MrKlin’s picks for Gameweek 9 (304)
Larsen Kwarasay
Wormgoor – Tønne – Antonsen
Ejuke – Koomson – Gjertsen – Åsen
Johnson (K) – Gytkjær – Skålevik
5 years, 11 months agoAnother great season finishing for me with my best moment of the season,
Smalling,Morgan > Robertson, PVA
What is everyone looking forward to the most next season:
New chips?
Bonus point adjustments?
Price points?
Different strategy?