At the time of writing of this article, Gameweek 3 in underway. My article focuses on how the season kick started for the Eliteserien teams based on their performance until GW 2.
ROSENBORG
The biggest talking point has to be the poor start of the Champions Rosenborg. They have managed just 1 point from a possible 6. Eirik Horneland is having a tough time as the new coach but i believe they will bounce back soon. He is known for his defensive side of the game. I will not be surprised to see a defender being the top scorer from Rosenborg at the end of the season as we have seen in his old club FK Haugesund where Alexander Stolas (6.6) finished the season with 150 points (4 goals and 8 assists). The real test will be the games against Molde and Sarpsborg 08 in GW 5-6. I will wait until then before buying any Rosenborg players.
Watchlist
DEF Birger Meling (7.0), Tore Reginiussen (7.0)
MID Pal Andre Helland (11.0), Babajide David Akintola (10.4)
MOLDE
Molde is looking for the league title after last winning it on 2014. They are looking strong and I won’t be surprised to see them claim the throne this season having finished 2nd in the last 2 seasons. They are a very good attacking side thanks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the new Manager Erling Moe has successfully taken over from him. Their performance against Valerenga, a team that’s at least good in paper, was eye catching. Magnus Wolff Eikrem (11.2), who arrived midway through last season, looks to be top scorer for the season. He’s in many teams and should be strongly looked at!!
Watchlist
DEF Kristoffer Haraldseid (5.5), Kristoffer Haugen (6.0)
MID Magnus Wolff Eikrem (11.2), Eirik Hestad (9.5), Eirik Ulland Andersen (10.0)
FWD Ohikhuaeme Omoijuanfo (9.1)
BRANN
Brann has so far had a poor start to the campaign, a 3-2 lose to Odd and a 1-1 draw with Stromdgodset but came back to winning ways in a 2-1 victory against Kristiansund BK. They are believed to be one of the title contenders but so far they have not lived up to the expectations. Generally solid at the back, Brann has failed to keep a cleansheet so far. But I expect them to get better as the campaign gets going. Vito Wormgoor(6.6) looks to be an essential part with 60.4% managers opting for him, the highest selected player in the league. Along with the defensive returns you can also expect attacking returns (with him being their 1st choice penalty taker) as evidenced by his brace in their 1st match against Odd.
Watchlist
DEF Vito Wormgoor (6.6)
MID Petter Strand (6.7), Veton Berisha (9.5)
FWD Daounda Bamba (9.4)
VALERENGA
Valerenga looks to be a team to watch this season. They have a good squad at least on paper. Having started strong with a 2-0 home victory against Mjondalen they failed to live up to the expectations on the road against Kristiansund BK and Molde losing 2-0 and 4-1 respectively. They have to improve their away form if they are to finish in top 4. Recent acquisition of Matthias Vilhjalmsson (9.6) from Rosenborg looks to be a shrewd buy. If he can stay injury free, he is one to watch for.
Watchlist
DEF Sam Adekugbe (5.0)
MID Bard Finne (9.5), Chidera Ejuke (8.0), Herolin Shala (8.4)
FWD Matthias Vilhjalmsson (9.6)
ODD
Odd has really impressed me. Though they had tough opening schedules against Brann and Rosenborg they have managed 4 points from a possible 6. Now that the fixtures have turned and looking favourable I really fancy their chances for the weeks ahead. We have a budget striker at Odd who looks to be an absolute bargain at 6.8, Torgeir Borven. He has scored in both the opening fixtures and looks to be in excellent form. I expect them to finish at least in the top 6. But they will provide strong fight for a spot in top 4.
Watchlist
DEF Espen Ruud (6.5)
MID Elbasan Rashani (8.0)
FWD Torgeir Borven (6.8)
SARPSBORG 08
Sarpsborg 08 has some individual quality in Kristoffer Zachariassen (7.5), Strand Larsen (6.5), and Steffen Skalevik (8.0). Football is all about the team game; if they can work as a team, then they’re definitely a team to look out for. They have successfully navigated some tough opening fixtures and now they have a couple of really good fixtures coming up against Lillestrom and Mjondalen. I expect Strand Larsen to be a budget pick this season. Watchout for him.
Watchlist
MID Kristoffer Zachariassen (7.5)
FWD Strand Larsen (6.5), Steffen Skalevik (8.0)
VIKING FK
Viking FK has so far passed the eye test for me. The promoted side are performing really well and by the look of it they seem to be dark horse of the season. Started with back to back wins against Kristiansund BK and Tromso, they have some tough fixtures ahead against Brann and Odd, where their temper would be really tested. Look no further than Viking FK if you are in search for value players. They are looking strong at the back and are providing decent attacking returns.
Watchlist
GK Iven Austbo (4.5)
DEF Viljar Vevante (4.6), Sondre Flem Bjorshol (4.5)
MID Kristian Thorstvedt (6.1), Ylldren Ibrahimaj (5.1), Zlatko Tripic (6.0)
FK HAUGESUND
FK Haufesund has not started the season on a high note, losing 3-2 to Stromsgodset and drawing 1-1 to Sarpsborg 08. But the next few fixtures are really good and I expect their season to improve henceforth. The fixtures against Ranheim, Stabaek, and Lillestrom looks so exciting. It seems that Alexander Stolas (6.6) has started the season from where he ended it in last season with a goal and assist in opening fixtures. He looks to be a must have for the next few fixtures at least.
Watchlist
DEF Alexander Stolas (6.6)
MID Martin Samuelsen (7.4)
FWD Ibrahima Wadji (8.0)
Looking forward to reading your comments!
Meanwhile this is how my team is lining up for GW3:
https://en.fantasy.eliteserien.no/a/team/14861/event/3.
Knight Riders
5 years, 10 days ago
This is really nice work! And quite easy to edit, thanks for submitting. Send me an email (geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk) and we can chat a bit about your schedule and a few things.
I agree with much of this. Rosenborg have been disappointing - I have Meling and Helland, and at least Helland is performing. It'll be interesting to see how people adapt for GW4. Molde had a nice DGW but GW3 was a bit disappointing