Eliteserien: gameweek 4 review

With the 4th round of fixtures concluded, let’s look at how the teams performed in this week.

BODO/GLIMT 1-1 SARPSBORG 08

Goals: Bjorkan (4.5) | Salvesen (6.9)

Assists: Leikvoll Moberg (5.0) | Zachariassen (7.5)

Bodo/Glimts impressive start to the campaign ended in a 1-1 draw against Sarpsborg 08, but both remain unbeaten in the Eliteserien this season. B/G took the lead in the opening 5 minutes with Fredrik Andre Bjorkan (4.5) finishing an attempted header of Leikvoll Moberg (5.0). They had their chances to kill the game but Herrem was denied in a one-on-one situation by Alexander Vasyutin (5.5) and later by the crossbar. Both keepers had a busy game with Ricardo Friedich (4.5) matching the 4 saves made by Vasyutin. Glimts looked the better team with Amor Layouni (6.7) and Herrem shooting at will. They paid the price for being sloppy with the substitute Lars Jorgen Salvesen (6.9) equalising in the 85th minute for Sarpsborg 08. With Glimts fixtures turning better, fantasy managers may keep an eye on popular assets Layouni and Herrem.

FK HAUGESUND 3-0 STABAEK

Goals: Bergqvist (5.5), Stolas (6.7), Samuelsen (7.4)

Assists: Velde (5.0), Stolas (6.7)

The biggest talking point of this match has to be Alexander Stolas (6.7), with his left footed strikes causing havoc in opposition box, scoring and assisting one apiece and hitting the crossbar with a thunderbolt. Haugesund opened the scoring with Douglas Bergqvist (5.5) slotting past Marcus Sandberg (4.5) although he was on ground from the challenge of Madis Vihmann (4.4). With Haugesund continuing to drive men forward, Sandberg had to be at his best and he responded with 4 excellent saves denying Mikkel Desler (5.5) and Thore Baardsen Pedersen (5.0) from what looked like excellent goalscoring opportunities. Stabaek had the chance to equalise but Franck Boli (9.9) failed to get a touch to an excellent ball from Ola Brynhildsen (5.5). The game turned completely one sided after Vadim Demidov (4.4) was sent off for two bookable offence in the space of 3 minutes. Then came Stolas with two free kicks! The first one was denied by the crossbar though he comfortably beat Sandberg and the crossbar for the 2nd one. He added to his tally providing an assist to super-sub Martin Samuelsen (7.4), who scored for the 2nd time on a roll coming off the bench. Expect Samuelsen to be in the first 11 soon and get Stolas  if you don’t have him, the guy is simply superb from set pieces.

KRISTIANSUND BK 0-0 RANHEIM

Ranheim got their first point for the campaign with a goalless draw to Kristiansund BK. From an attacking perspective the match had little to offer with both teams creating a lot but shooting it wide in front of goal. Torgil Gjertsen (6.9) was denied by the crossbar while Bendik Bye (6.4) couldn’t control the ball well to have a shot, a chance he should never have missed. Christofer Aasbak (4.5) tested Even Barli (4.5) twice, but the keeper somehow got a touch on the ball on both occasions to deny the left-back. From a fantasy perspective, Christophe Psyche (4.1) made another start and got a clean sheet though he was subbed at 72 minutes. He looks to be a decent value given his cheap price. Jorgen Olsen Overaas (4.0) made his first start of the campaign for Ranheim, although it remains to be seen whether he would be preferred over Oyvind Alseth (4.5).

LILLESTROM 0-2 MOLDE

Goals: Eikrem (11.4), Knudtzon (7.3)

Assists: Ohi (9.2), Eikrem (11.4)

Molde went top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Lillestrom. Magnus Wolff Eikrem (11.4) again demonstrated why he is a must have for the season with a goal and assist apiece. He is the leading goal scorer in the league with 4 goals. Ohikhuaeme Omoijuanfo (9.2) provided yet another return to his 51.7% fantasy owners with an assist. Both the teams failed to score in a tough turf at Arasen Stadium until Eikrem found the back of the net at 75 minutes. They added another with substitute Erling Knudtzon (7.3) calmly slotting past an advancing Marko Maric (4.5). Lillestrom had their best opportunity through Kristoffer Odemarksbakken (5.9), who was denied by an electric save from Andreas Linde (6.0). That was the only save which he was called for in the entire game, sums up the day of Lillestrom.

ROSENBORG 0-0 STROMSGODSET

Not yet! The champions are struggling and the latest draw against Stromsgodset, a fixture they are expected to win with ease, adds to the growing frustrations at Rosenborg. As things stand they are now in the relegation zone at 15th position! There are some positives with Rosenborg getting their first clean sheet of the campaign. But fantasy managers should stay away from Rosenborg assets with the champions clearly struggling to get things going. Babajide David Akintola (10.3) who returned to the team missed a sitter, after Viljar Myhra (5.0) saved the initial effort of Mike Jensen (8.4). The keeper had a busy match making 6 saves and he ended the match with 10 points, an exceptional return for a goal keeper. Pal Andre Helland (11.0) had a frustrating game with his efforts either missing the target or comfortably handled by Viljar Myhra (5.0). Andre Hansen (7.0) was called into action in a couple of occasions and he kept his cool by making 2 good saves. From an attacking perspective, only Akintola looked really threatening. He should retain his starting berth and would be expecting to be in the score sheet soon.

MJONDALEN 1-1 TROMSO

Goals: Brochmann (6.0) | Valakari (5.0)

Assists: Brustad (6.4) | Nilsen (4.9)

Mjondalen started the game on a high with Tonny Brochmann (6.0) scoring from the spot after Fredrik Brustad (6.4) was fouled in the penalty box by Juha Pirinen (4.5). Tromso came close through a well directed free kick by Morten Gamst Pedersen (5.4) which was well saved by Julian Faye Lund (4.5). But the keeper was at fault for the equaliser by Onni Valakari (5.0), when the ball went through the hands of the diving keeper. Brochmann should have scored another but he failed to keep his shot down and blasted it over the crossbar. Substitute Alfred Schriven (5.0) also blasted one over the crossbar after he had forced Jacob Karlstrom (4.5) to an error by pressing high up the pitch. Both the goalkeepers will be happy that the game ended in a draw after both made numerous silly mistakes which their opponents couldn’t really capitalize on. From a fantasy perspective, William Sell (4.0) was missing in the squad and Akeem Latifu (4.5) took over his position.

BRANN 1-1 VALERENGA

Goals: Barmen (6.5) | Shala (8.5)

Assists: Kristiansen (5.5) | Juarez (4.9)

The derby had a great start with Kristoffer Barmen (6.5) scoring through a superb header from a beautiful cross from Ruben Kristiansen (5.5) to put Brann ahead of their rivals. Bismar Acosta (6.0) should have doubled the lead but his header was denied by the crossbar. It was all Brann show until Herolin Shala (8.5) found the back of the net with a calm finish outplaying 2 Brann defenders. His game was cut short after he was replaced at 84 minutes with an injury. Vito Wormgoor (6.6) was lucky to escape a booking after he was seen dragging the injured midfielder to the side line. Daounda Bamba (9.4) had the chance to seal the game for Brann but his shot went over the bar. Valerenga didn’t look bright in the attacking half and it was another disappointing performance by Matthias Vilhjalmsson (9.5). Bard Finne (9.4) disappointed his new owners after he started the match in the bench. Chidera Ejuke (8.0) was also subbed early with an injury and things are not looking great at Valerenga at both ends of the pitch.

ODD 1-0 VIKING FK

Goals: Kaasa (5.0)

Assists: Oldrup Jensen (5.0)

Viking run came to an end with a 1-0 lose to Odd. Odd kept their 2nd clean sheet on the roll against a Viking side that started their season on a high note. The game was settled by 1 goal scored by Markus Kaasa (5.0) from a header of a superb cross from Fredrik Oldrup Jensen (5.0). Both teams failed to create much in an attacking point of view. Iven Austbo (4.6) was brilliant and had a good outing. Popular assets of Odd and Viking in the form of Elbasan Rashani (8.1), Torgeir Borven (7.0), Kristian Thorstvedt (6.3), Ylldren Ibrahimaj (5.2) all blanked though Espen Ruud (6.6) returned another clean sheet for his 20.1% owners. Viking would be looking to bounce back from this defeat when they face Ranheim in the weekend.