Gameweek 10 sees three league fixtures postponed with the start of the U-20 World Cup, which sees young Norwegian stars, including some fantasy favourites, on international duty. Odd, Stabaek, Kristiansund, Bodø/Glimt, Viking and Sarpsborg are the teams without a fixture this weekend.
We also know that all but one Eliteserien team will contest the third round of the Norwegian Cup, which takes place between gameweeks 11 and 12. Bodø/Glimt may be riding high in the league but they suffered a surprise defeat at Strømmen.
Here are the fixtures that will take place this week, plus a look at some potential chip strategies for the forthcoming schedule of blank and double gameweeks.
Fixtures
Vålerenga vs. Lillestrøm
Vålerenga are on the up, unbeaten since a hammering at Molde in GW2 and with a perfect home record so far this season. Herolind Shala and Chidera Ejuke have lived up to expectations, but it’s a different story for some of VIF’s other premium options. Matthías Vilhjálmsson has played a more reserved role than expected recently, slotting in behind Fitim Azemi, while Bård Finne’s heavily curtailed minutes make him difficult to trust.
Lillestrøm are without a win in four, including heavy losses to Bodø/Glimt and most recently Odd. Thomas Lehne Olsen continues to make life difficult for opposing defences with a goal and an assist during the Canaries’ winless run. Arnór Smárason is fit and a devilish free kick earned him an assist and 2 bonus points in 45 minutes against Mjøndalen. Josef Baccay has emerged as a budget option at left back, but this doesn’t seem an ample time to bring him in.
Mjøndalen vs. FK Haugesund
The promoted side gave a good account of themselves at Lerkendal. Tonny Brochmann has recaptured the best of his Stabaek form and remains reasonably priced. With 5 assists to his name already Joakim Olsen Solberg is every bit the set piece threat we expected him to be, but he’s been outscored by the beneficiary of his delivery, centre back Sondre Solholm Johansen. If Sondre Liseth can get on the scoresheet he could be one to watch, having picked up 4 of his 5 bonus points in matches when he has otherwise blanked.
In a blank gameweek, Alexander Stølås looks even more essential. The left back has upped his set piece game to a ridiculous level and is part of a defence with 4 clean sheets so far. Martin Samuelsen finally completed 90 minutes against Kristiansund and picked up maximum bonus points; he is the only player other than Stølås to have scored more than once for Haugesund this campaign.
Ranheim vs. Strømsgodset
A youthful Ranheim capitalised on a disappointing Sarpsborg performance last time out. A pair of 20-year-old Rosenborg loanees, Torbjørn Heggem and Olaus Skarsem, featured in the bonus points alongside talisman Mads Reginiussen. Having returned to an attacking left wing position, Erik Tønne registered his first assist of the season, setting up Ivar Sollie Rønning. The target man could be a fantasy bargain in the making, but Ranheim’s commitment to a 4-3-3 means he’ll have to keep scoring to start ahead of cult hero Michael Karlsen.
Strømsgodset’s win over Tromsø was their first since the opening weekend of the season. Yacouba Sylla registered his first attacking returns since that win over Haugesund, scoring his first goal for the Drammen club with a powerful strike from distance. His penchant for bonus points – only one player in the league has more – has made him Godset’s top fantasy asset thus far, ahead of Mos who hit the post against TIL.
Tromsø vs. Molde
After a season of relative safety in 2018, it looks like the northerners will be involved in another relegation battle this year. Missing the creativity of Daniel Berntsen and Mikael Ingebrigtsen, Gutan are also down to the bare bones in defence; Kent-Are Antonsen scored in their latest loss despite being unfavourably fielded out of position. For any fantasy managers finding themselves without a goalkeeper this week due to fixture postponements, Gudmund Kongshavn looks the cheapest available starter. He’s made 5 saves in each of the last two games, picking up a bonus point against Bodø/Glimt, and will surely be called into action against the league leaders.
A hat-trick against Viking sent Ohi top of the scoring charts and Molde back to the summit of the table. All of Molde’s midfielders are delivering reasonable returns, but it would take a brave manager to bet against fantasy top scorer Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Kristoffer Haraldseid seems to have a touch more attacking freedom than he had at Haugesund, especially with Kristoffer Haugen injured, probably making him the standout defensive option. The only dilemma here seems to be which three Molde players to pick.
Brann vs. Rosenborg
Last season this fixture was billed as a title decider, but both sides look off the pace this year. Brann have at least strung together a winning run. While Vito Wormgoor’s attacking threat has made him the most popular player in the game, it was fellow centre back Bismar Acosta who stole the show against Bodø/Glimt. His assist for Daouda Bamba may have been route one, but his winning goal, an acrobatic volley, was a finish a striker would be proud of. Veton Berisha and Petter Strand seem to have settled well and are both viable fantasy picks.
Rosenborg suffered a huge scare en route to a win against Mjøndalen. Tore Reginiussen and Vegar Eggen Hedenstad both delivered attacking returns, but the champions were far from convincing at the back. Alexander Søderlund’s winner was the first goal by a RBK forward this season – he at least seems a better option than Nicklas Bendtner who has lost the trust of the manager.
Chip strategies:
Those who used their Rich Uncle chip in GW2 may be wondering whether it was the right decision, especially if they find themselves with a depleted squad now. Gameweeks 15 and 17 look the most enticing options, featuring both blanks and doubles.
Managers still holding the Attack! Attack! chip will be eagerly anticipating consecutive doubles in GW14 and 15 for last season’s top scorer Franck Boli; he’ll face off against the in-form Torgeir Børven in the former. Sarpsborg’s attacking form will surely have to improve for managers to invest in their forwards, especially with their GW15 double including a trip to Molde. Patience could be a virtue for owners of Vålerenga, Bodø/Glimt, Kristiansund and Viking’s strikers – the teams who play twice in GW17 all have midfielders who are outscoring their attacking teammates.
Two Captains could provide further reason to back one of Eliteserien’s many exciting midfielders and defenders, but may also serve as a reminder not to rule out using chips in single gameweeks. Which brings us back to…
The four most highly owned players in the game (Ohi, Wormgoor, Stølås and Eikrem) are all in action this week, but none have a double gameweek on the horizon. All have at least 48.5% ownership at time of writing and have delivered at least two double figure scores, but this week Molde’s options are perhaps most appealing ahead of a trip to a club propping up the table.
