Like Boxing Day in England, May 16th is a big celebration of football in Norway.
As is tradition, the big teams get home turf advantage along with some small derby fixtures.
Most significantly for Fantasy managers all games kick off at the same time –Wednesday 5:00pm, to provide a rare action packed 90 minutes in the season where all teams play.
Gameweek 10 matches
Bodø/Glimt – Tromsø
Tromsø are the first thing that comes to mind for the term “home team”, and have looked bleak without Åsen in their midfield of late. Åsen was a surprise absence against Lillestrøm as he’s been training with the team, but he should be back in the squad for this game.
On this special day they are away in a classical Battle of the North, with a Bodø/Glimt team slowly turning their season around with six points in their last four games. There’s no must have players here, but Opseth has started scoring again for Bodø/Glimt, and might be on the cusp of a decent scoring run.
Brann – FK Haugesund
Brann have had a record breaking season opening, but are starting to show the strain. They already have their usual left-back out with injury, and this weekend right-back Teniste was carried off with what looked like a nasty neck/back injury, later turning out to be “only” a broken hand and a small spinal fracture. The ranks are thin, and we must wonder how long their squad can take the pressures.
However, they should still be able to muster a powerful XI when they host surprise contender Haugesund in Bergen, where Akintola and Gytkjær are still running on great form and pushing their team up.
Teniste is likely to miss out on a couple of games (no update on how long he’ll be out yet), so it’s probably time to shift him. Barmen is also likely to miss out.
Kristiansund BK – Ranheim
Kristiansund are the tight game specialists, rarely losing or winning by more than a single goal. Bamba scored again in their weekend run out, and is a striker to consider choice if he can keep a cool head.
The big in-form team though, is the still underestimated Ranheim, who won yet again at the weekend. They are now the top scoring team in Eliteserien and their best picks remain the same – Tønne and Reginiussen – who are punishing non-owners on a weekly basis.
Molde – Strømsgodset
Molde are still struggling for form, as they host another side that was well fancied pre-season but has failed to deliver so far.
In fact, Strømsgodset are in a far worse shape, but did show signs of improvement as they hit the woodwork six times in their 2-1 loss to Sarpsborg 08 last time out. Ulland Andersen once again picked up bonus points, and his form looks to be improving, while Pedersen remains the league’s top scorer so far, having some big chances last game as well.
Molde have been hard to pin down, but Braut Håland still looks a viable option to consider.
Odd – Sandefjord
Odd had been the team in form, but Ranheim put a stop to that at the weekend, routing them 3-1. This clash with dejected Sandefjord should revive their spirits though, with Rashani and the multi-talented Broberg looking the hot prospects at the moment. Broberg is a bit of a fill-the-hole player, having played up front, in midfield and may even be fielded as a central defender.
Rosenborg – Lillestrøm
Rosenborg once again delivered a 1-0 win last time out, but look incapable of killing off a game with that important second goal. Things did look better against Stabæk but without more firepower they will continue to struggle against strong teams.
This time around they are up against an old rival in Lillestrøm and Rosenborg need to up their game if they want to emerge victorious. On current form last season’s champions may struggle to contain a counter-attacking Lillestrøm side.
Picks to consider are the Rosenborg back line and keeper, as well as midfielder and sometimes striker Knudtzon from Lillestrøm. Hovland looks like an excellent budget pick, who rustled up another three bonus points at the weekend.
Sarpsborg 08 – IK Start
Sarpsborg’s form has improved, with their stopper Falch and striker Agger, who tends to be favoured for home games, looking the best of their picks.
In contrast, Start are still in the doldrums and do not provide any players worth considering currently.
Vålerenga – Stabæk
Stabæk looked decent against Rosenborg, but have a tall order as they visit high flying Vålerenga. This game looks to be full of goals, with top picks including Ejuke and top striker Johnson from Vålerenga, as well as the budget gem Brynhildsen from Stabæk.
Scout Picks
We’ve started tracking our scout picks score, but please not that we did not have scout picks for gameweek 1 and gameweek 6.
Niemi’s picks for Gameweek 10 (408)
Rossbach
Ruud – Wormgoor – Hedenstad – Hovland
Koomson – Rashani – Gjertsen
Johnson – Skålevik (K) – Bamba
MrKlin’s picks for Gameweek 10 (369)
Falch
Wormgoor – Tønne – Ruud – Hovland
Ejuke – Koomson – Reginiussen – Ulland Andersen
Johnson (K) – Skålevik
