Eliteserien Fantasy: Gameweek 13 preview

Another round of the Norwegian Cup saw more shock defeats for Eliteserien teams, as well as a suspension or two that could affect fantasy managers’ plans with double gameweeks impending. The quarter-final ties, to be played in September, are as follows:

KFUM vs. Odd

Ranheim vs. Fram

Mjøndalen vs. Haugesund

Aalesund vs. Viking

Recent managerial changes at Stabæk and Strømsgodset could also factor into our thinking, so let’s look ahead to the weekend’s matches:

Rosenborg vs. Kristiansund BK

This week’s early contest is between two teams who suffered 1-0 defeats last weekend and made their cup exits on Wednesday. Samuel Adegbenro demonstrated skill on the ball and earned a bonus point in Rosenborg’s loss at Alfheim, with a mazy run to create a chance David Akintola couldn’t take. Alexander Søderlund and Tore Reginiussen both headed against the bar as the champions were punished. Reginiussen scored the equalising goal as Aalesund claimed another Eliteserien scalp in the cup, but was withdrawn for Gustav Valsvik at the start of extra time, while Søderlund’s effort was saved in the shootout. Pål Andre Helland had provided a light hearted response to his lack of playing time, but didn’t improve his chances with a cup red card after barely half an hour.

Flamur Kastrati’s season so far has been interrupted by injury and, after dragging a first half penalty wide of the post, he was stretchered off after an off-the-ball collision resulted in concussion. Amidou Diop featured in the bonus points for the fourth game in a row. Christophe Psyche didn’t feature in the last league game, but played the full 120 minutes in the cup loss to Odd.

Bodø/Glimt vs. Odd

Glimt’s visit to Viking lived up to expectations as the away side grabbed a 4-3 win. Fredrik Andre Bjørkan scrambled home from a corner but went off at half time with a knock. Geir Herrem didn’t seem to know much about his first goal since GW6 as he got a touch on Morten Konradsen’s shot, but they all count. Amor Layouni showed his quality on the counter attack, running clear to score then setting up Philip Zinckernagel.

Fredrik Nordkvelle marked his first appearance for Odd since GW3 with a brace. Torgeir Børven’s fine season continues; he peeled off the defender to head in Vebjørn Hoff’s cross, before turning provider for Tobias Lauritsen in the cup. Espen Ruud’s low cross set up Sander Svendsen to send Odd into the last eight.

FK Haugesund vs. Vålerenga

How do Haugesund fill the void left by the injured Alexander Stølås and suspended Ibrahima Wadji? Midfielder Kristoffer Velde could be an appealing option as he got another run out up front, while defender Thore Baardsen Pedersen set up unlikely scorer Bruno Leite to bag his second goal in three league appearances. Martin Samuelsen’s loan spell from West Ham has been extended and he and Ibrahima Kone both came off the bench to end Strømmen’s cup run.

Bård Finne finally completed 90 minutes in the league and scored his second goal of the season in Vålerenga’s draw with Sarpsborg. Sam Adekugbe also played the full match after a spell on the sidelines, missing a good chance after a marauding run from left back.

Lillestrøm vs. Tromsø

LSK nearly snatched a point late on when they visited Bergen, but Fredrik Krogstad’s long range shot was tipped onto the post. The club have already looked to bolster their defence, agreeing a loan deal for Joonas Tamm who spent last season at Sarpsborg. The Estonian will be available from 1 August.

Tromsø have climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to three consecutive wins. Captain Simen Wangberg’s return has coincided with two clean sheets and his winning header against Rosenborg came from veteran Morten Gamst Pedersen’s first assist of the campaign. Gudmund Kongshavn’s athletic goalkeeping has earned him 26 points over TIL’s winning run.

Mjøndalen vs. Viking FK

Joachim Olsen Solberg delivered his sixth assist of the season with a looping free kick that was headed in by Quint Jansen. Olsen Solberg then forced a save as he blasted an indirect free kick inside Ranheim’s penalty area. After being out of the team for several games, Julian Faye Lund had perhaps his best game of the season against Ranheim, the highlight being an impressive double save. Sondre Solholm Johansen misses this fixture after being booked for a fourth time.

It seems Kristian Thorstvedt can do no wrong as his speculative shot found the bottom corner against B/G and he went on to score again in the cup win against Stabæk. 14 of Viking’s 17 league goals conceded have now come in just three games, but it wasn’t all bad for the defence against B/G: Sondre Flem Bjørshol set up Usman Sale and Runar Ullaland Hove got on the end of a teasing delivery from Ylldren Ibrahimaj as the game ultimately proved beyond the hosts. Promotion hero Johnny Furdal finally made his first appearances this season and scored the opener in the cup.

Stabæk vs. Ranheim

There was more penalty drama for the Bærum side in the league a week on from the chaos against Tromsø. Kristiansund didn’t capitalise on Madis Vihmann’s handball. Ola Brynhildsen twice found himself in space but couldn’t find the target. A moment of quality from Franck Boli won the match – his persistence saw him dribble past three defenders and draw a foul from the goalkeeper, before dispatching the penalty himself. However, a red card for an off-the-ball tangle in the cup now means he’ll miss this game – and potentially at least one of Stabæk’s DGW14 fixtures. Luc Kassi picked up 3 bonus points a week after his nightmare show. Vadim Demidov is back in the first team picture under new manager Jan Jönsson, and Yaw Amankwah will provide more defensive depth when he’s available in August.

Boli’s absence will surely encourage owners of Ranheim’s defensive options, including the second most popular fantasy goalkeeper Even Barli. Confidence could also be drawn from a 4-0 demolition of a strong Brann side in the cup, courtesy of Mads Reginiussen, Ola Solbakken and a brace from Magnus Blakstad.

Molde vs. Brann

Despite being the league’s top scorer and the second most owned fantasy player, there will be question marks over Ohi after Leke James impressed with a quickfire hat-trick against Strømsgodset. Magnus Wolff Eikrem bagged a hat-trick of assists. Will this game come too soon for Kristoffer Haraldseid? Molde won their league games against Brann last season by an aggregate score of 9-1.

Daouda Bamba has spoken of his disappointment of not living up to expectations after an emotional reaction to his substitution against Lillestrøm. Bamba suggested Brann alter their style of play. Maybe it’s a good omen; the last player to criticise Lars Arne Nilsen was Gilbert Koomson, whose first goal of the season was the winner last time out. For the first time this season, Petter Strand didn’t start a league game, but came off the bench to assist Koomson with an incisive through ball. Even Vito Wormgoor’s attacking potential might not be enough for some managers after a heavy cup defeat and ahead of a trip to the league leaders and Brann’s bogey team.

Sarpsborg 08 vs. Strømsgodset

Jørgen Strand Larsen followed up his brace against Odd with an assist against Vålerenga, but is expected to miss at least one of Sarpsborg’s DGW15 fixtures due to Norway’s involvement at the U19 Euros. Lars-Jorgen Salvesen looks to have ousted the challenge of Steffen Skålevik to partner the youngster, with a goal and assist in his last two appearances.

After an impressive start, Yacouba Sylla’s Godset career looks to be over already. The midfielder didn’t report for training last week and the club have now announced a transfer agreement with Romanian side Cluj. Mos managed 20 minutes against Molde, but Marcus Pedersen isn’t expected to feature this week. Bottom of the table, Godset look devoid of the quality that saw them finish fourth just two years ago.

Looking ahead

What are you looking at doing this GW? What are your transfers?