Community

Eliteserien Runde 21 – Back to Reality

Ask any Fantasy Manager which two words they like to hear the least and you’ll get a pretty unanimous response – International Break. They’re about as welcome as a maskless shopper in 2020. But for all the boredom they bring and the stagnation in Fantasy Football they cause, at least we can say the last two weeks have been far from uneventful. In fact, quite a lot has happened over the last two weeks:

Covid-19

Fantasy Football in 2020 feels like it should come with an extra chip to help deal with absentees due to Coronavirus. It’s a very real and pressing issue that doesn’t seem to be going away and the recent Nation’s League games have highlighted how easy it is for top athletes to get infected with the seemingly innocuous virus.

Among other revelations, we learned Cristiano Ronaldo is human as he tested positive for Covid-19 just days after playing Spain in the Nation’s League. The more relevant news to Fantasy managers is that Viking’s Veton Berisha (9.5m) also tested positive resulting in Viking’s next two games against Odds BK and FK Haugesund being postponed as he trained with the rest of the team.

Berisha is reported as displaying no symptoms, saying “I feel completely fine and without symptoms, but I think it is of course very boring that the whole team has to be quarantined due to my positive test.”

The area of concern for me around Viking players is that not only others may test positive over the next week or two, but they won’t be playing any games. They’re unbeaten in their last eight games including wins against Stromsgodset and Molde as well as the absolute thrashing of Aalesund. Will this two-week hiatus take away all their momentum? Quite possibly.

“The trickiest thing is not that I myself have to be in isolation, but that the team must be quarantined and thus postpone their next match to a later date.” It looks like Berisha has similar concerns.

For this upcoming Gameweek Zymer Bytyqi (7.2m) and Mushaga Bakenga (6.8m) are both unavailable (along with Berisha and Espen Ruud (7.0m) who was suspended anyway) leaving me and probably many other managers with something of a quandary.

In 2020 you need a good bench. Covid is such a volatile variable it’s hard to say with any degree of certainty if your XI are good to go even a day or two before kick-off. Having adequate players to fill in is a must. I’m also somewhat apprehensive about loading up on players from the same team. It’s baffling how the Viking situation came about and it makes me wonder if we will see it again from other teams.

For me, Dino Islamovic (10.1m) comes in for Berisha and Osame Sahraoui (6.2m) will fill in for Bytyqi. As Bakenga will miss out Jesper Daland (4.4m) is set to feature for me unless I take a hit.

It would seem prudent to monitor the situation over the next couple of weeks, though the lack of transparent, readily available news on Norwegian football can be a bit frustrating. The Fantasy Eliteserien website doesn’t even have any Viking or Odd player’s red-flagged (other than Ruud and Berisha) and nor have the fixtures been removed.

Latest Transfers

Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt to AC Milan ~€5.0m)

Most notable is the departure of the second-highest scoring player in the entire game, Jens Petter Hauge who secured an incredible move to AC Milan. While Glimt beat Sandefjord 2-1 in their first game without him, it was hardly the thrashing we’ve come to expect from them.

One of the things that stands out about Hauge is his humility on and off the pitch and how he can exert his influence and prowess in any game and it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on in Italy. It’s a huge loss for Glimt but five million euros will have made his departure a bit easier to swallow.

Being directly involved in no less than 27 goals, it will be a huge task for whoever is brought in to replace the youngster…

Hugo Vetlesen (Stabaek Football to Bodo/Glimt)

Hugo Vetlesen (5.6m) has been brought in to seemingly replace Hauge (if that’s possible) and on the face of it, it seems a good buy. The 20-year-old has scored four goals and has three assists so far this season, as well as amassing seven bonus points. Priced at more than three million less than Hauge, if he can pick up where he left off, Vetlesen could be an incredible option.

Vetlesen appeals as he’s done well to muster any kind of returns whilst playing for a team like Stabaek who evidently do not like to score goals. Glimt do not have that problem as they’ve already managed 69 goals in just 20 games (21 more than anyone else) but in losing Hauge they’ve lost one of their most creative players.

The biggest question mark hangs over whether or not Vetlesen can gel into this exciting Glimt team and emulate even half of what Hauge has done. He’ll be feeling the pressure that’s for sure and how he deals with it is anyone’s guess. Big shoes either way.

John Kitolano (Molde to Odds BK) & Birk Risa (Odds BK to Molde)

John Kitolano (5.7m) and Birk Risa (6.1m) have swapped clubs, moving from Molde to Odd and vice versa. While Risa was a guaranteed starter at Odd, he’ll face competition from Kristoffer Haugen (6.3m) at left back. With European games on the horizon, one will most likely be preferred in the league and the other in Europe. Kitolano will however be first-choice at Odd and represents good value at less than six million.

Some of you will know Risa is one of my favourite footballers in the league and that he’s been in my team on numerous occasions this year. For me, this move makes the Molde defence harder to predict and even though I think he’ll be a success at his new club, for 0.4m less it seems impossible to overlook Kitolano.

Marcus Antonsson (Malmo FF to Stabaek Football, Loan)

29-year-old forward Marcus Antonsson (7.5m) moves across the border from Malmo to join Stabaek on loan, providing a much needed alternative up front. Stabaek have scored just 25 goals in 20 games (only four teams have scored less) and while the loan signing of Rosenborg forward Erik Botheim (6.5m) back in July seemed like shrewd business, the promising centre-forward has failed to find his feet, playing just 608 minutes and providing a single assist and no goals.

With other options up front such as Kosuke Kinoshita (5.6m) and winger Darren Maatsen (7.1m) contributing just four goals and no assists in 1114 minutes, Antonsson should slot in up front right away.

This is the kind of signing Stabaek should be making. An older, more experienced player with a wily grit about them, able to be thrown in at the deep end and not drown. After losing a couple of their best players, they’ve been forward-thinking enough to ensure they can see out the rest of season in moderate comfort.

Andreas Hanche-Olsen (Stabaek to KAA Gent, ~€1.0m)

Andreas Hanche-Olsen needs absolutely no introduction – despite being sold ten days ago, he remains in 33% of teams. Another exciting young player to emerge from Norway’s golden generation, the towering centre-back secured a move to Belgium side KAA Gent, with Stabaek receiving close to a million euros in return.

He’s a huge loss not only to Stabaek but to Fantasy Football and anyone who watches the Eliteserien. He was the closest thing we had to van Dijk and now he’s gone to a team which none of us will probably ever watch. Ever.

Gustav Valsvik (Rosenborg to Stabaek, Loan)

Reaching out to Rosenborg for a centre-back to replace the one you just sold is never a bad idea. Rosenborg have a reputation of being hard to beat, stable and incredibly watertight. Gustav Valsvik (5.8m) is a good personification of those values and provides great cover for the outgoing Hanche-Olsen.

Even though it’s only a loan deal, at least for the rest of the season the more-than-capable centre-back will be playing regularly and Stabaek will be confident his arrival will be sufficient to steady the ship.

Ironically his only goal of the season came against Stabaek in a 3-0 win for Rosenborg, but he offers stability and a much-needed presence to a team that appears to be without a rudder at times. Being able to bring someone in of his quality for nothing is great business. Fantasy-wise I would avoid on the basis that Stabaek have little to play for and remain quite beatable. Perhaps Valsvik will make them more formidable but even if he does it won’t happen right away.

Sander Svendsen (Odense BK to Brann, Loan)

Gilbert Koomson out, Sander Svendsen (8.0m) in. Koomson had been in my team since GW3 up until GW17. He’s the kind of player you love to watch as he makes runs with complete abandon in the final third. I see him as a great servant to my team, a player that a lot of people dismissed and ignored early on. Losing him from the league is a great shame, but in Svendsen Brann have a young, thirsty forward who will feel he has something to prove following a disastrous stint at Odd last season.

Eliteserien managers might recognise him as the promising forward who played alongside Torgeir Borven for the first half of last season and failed to score a single goal. He was far more successful at Molde two years before but has bounced around on loan deals ever since.

He was more prominent in Denmark last season where he managed 13 goals in 32 games yet in Odense’s opening three games he’s been left on the bench for two and only brought on in the 84th minute in third. Allsvenskan managers might recognise him as the bit-part player who featured in 19 games and scored a huge zero goals.

While I’m naturally very tempted to take a punt on him, first I’d like to see where he fits in at Brann. Let’s not forget this is a team that are struggling to express themselves lately. The last time they scored more than once was 24th August – six games ago.

Svendsen’s arrival probably makes Daouda Bamba (8.9m) a more viable option as well as the industrious Petter Strand (7.6m). It’s a definite wait and see, but suddenly Brann have become relevant once more.

Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson (Aalesund to Brescia)

The 6ft4 Icelandic international’s departure signals Aalesund’s resignation to the fact they are going down and are ready to put their faith in Sigurd Haugen (6.4m) who has scored two goals in his last three games.

Fridjonsson has scored 11 of Aalesunds 25 goals in the league and had something of a following or at least appreciation from most managers. He always looked a threat when presented with a chance and Aalesund will surely miss him.

Daniel Leo Gretarsson (Aalesund to Blackpool)

He only scored 12 Fantasy points this season but he was Aalesund’s third most played defender and him leaving makes Aalesund an even weaker animal. They’re rock bottom of the league and look like staying there in light of recent transfers.

Anton Saletros (Rostov to Sarpsborg, ~€500k)

Even though the exciting Jorgen Strand Larsen left Sarpsborg 08 for Groningen in September, Anton Saletros (4.9m) has finally joined on a permanent deal. He’s one of the best passers in the league and represents great value for a fifth midfielder at less than 5.0m.

Watchlist 

• Sander Svendsen (8.0m)

• Marcus Antonsson (7.5m)

• Hugo Vetlesen (5.6m)

ReindeerHotdog ESF: https://en.fantasy.eliteserien.no/entry/12433/event/17 Follow me on Twitter: @ReindeerHotdog

102 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Xylophone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Here goes gravity!
    My team looks like a hospital!

  2. FPL Xylophone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1)Who is best captain option for this gw?
    2) is rich uncle a good option gor this gw?
    Taak

    1. Onz
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You will still have the " hospital" team to deal with in another week if you play RU. imo hold it for latter possibly a dgw and deal to the problems with a hit or even two. We are all in the same boat so it should not dramatically effect your OR. Good luck anyway.

  3. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Zinckernagel's fitness?

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I read that Fet looks likely to miss out but strong chance Zinckernagel is fit.

      Junker and Solbakken were also thought likely to miss out but ended up training so could possibly play, too.

  4. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Apologies on the shorter, less cohesive article this week. Got confused about the word limit and ended up shaving a lot off.

    I'll make sure I give you guys an essay next time to make up for it.

  5. GertJan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Been looking around for a midfielder. Bytyqi to...

    A) Hove (8 goals so far, good fixture, cheaper alternative to Salvesen)
    B) Edvardsen (targeting Aalesund has been a tried-and-tested tactic)
    C) Sarpsborg mid?

    1. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hove or Holse

      1. Niemi
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        or Dønnum if you have cash

  6. Niemi
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Zinckernagel is out

  7. Niemi
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Also GW22 ain't a blank, Viking - Haugesund will be played midweek after GW22 (and therefore remains in the same GW).

    Odd - Viking will be played in GW23 (DGW)

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ah OK.

      At time of writing, the articles I had read heavily implied the matches would be removed from the upcoming calendar.

      Will be interesting to see if Berisha can play vs Haugesund.

  8. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1FT: Ruud to Borchgrevink.

    Frustrating to own Ruud, Heggheim, Bytyqi, Zinckernagel & Berisha this week, but not worth a hit for further changes considering I'll want the Odd & Viking boys back before I know it. No subs, Zinckernagel (K) as he'll start if fit (in my opinion) & have seen mixed responses regarding his participation. Relatively low risk with Kjartansson (V), I reckon.

    Out the cup & sitting at 82OR. Time for a much needed green arrow after sitting looking at a red over the IB. Good luck all & thank you to RH for the article as always.

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers - no worries as usual.

      And ouch, 5 players involved is tough.

      I had Berisha, Bytyqi, Ruud and Bakenga.

      Did -4 for:

      Berisha to Dino
      Bakenga to Antonsson

      If Zinck starts I have a full XI with him, if not Daland plays in his place.

      For me, that -4 feels so low risk because if Zinck starts it's basically cost against Daland's score, whereas if Zinck doesn't play I'd have just 10 men. No real better fixture for a Stabaek player and like you say, doesn't feel right moving Bytyqi on.

      Great rank and GL moving forward. It's SO close at the top. 1k to 500 is nothing. The game is becoming about margins of error and quite difficult to navigate here on in.

      I'm set up to bring in Svendsen if he kicks off with Brann as their fixtures look decent in certainly over the next few weeks.

      Next article will be more fleshed out. At least there's a brief overview of some relevant transfers.

  9. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Heggheim, Ruud, Berisha, Bytyqi, AND Zinckernagel not playing this gameweek is a real headache. And I only got one FT!

    -4 to transfer out Berisha and Ruud – or is this an opportunity to play Rich Uncle?

    Klaesson
    Borchgrevink - Daland - Heggheim* - Vidar Ari Jónsson
    Zachariassen (K) - Zinckernagel* - Pellegrino - Saltnes
    Ruud Tveter - Kjartansson
    (Granlund - Ruud* - Berisha* - Bytyqi)

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's a really tricky one.

      I'd be inclined to think a clever hit would be more effective than RU as everyone around you will more than likely be in a similar position.

      It's a gamble either way but these are highly-owned players so it's not as if it's just your team affected.

      RU can be so useful when used with some semblance of a plan behind it rather than in a reactionary way. I'd personally be saving it to maximise it's impact.

      If it means playing with 10 players it wouldn't be the end of the world. I understand the issue though. I took a -4 point hit and if Zinckernagel misses out I have Daland coming off the bench.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It would feel risky playing the RU, I admit. At the same time, the team is relying on Ruud Tveter to play to even have 11 men playing. Not the end of the world though, as you write.

        Right now I'm looking at Berisha+ Ruud to one of Islamovic/Bamba/Salvesen/ and Utvik/Solheim/Næss (-4). Do we know if Utvik is likely to play?

  10. Ramboros
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like Brann are using two defenders as wingers today. Presumably Blomberg and Grøgaard.

  11. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Did not see Kristiansund drawing 0-0 with Rosenborg.

    Stabaek winning 4 nil not too surprising. A nice debut goal for Valsvik, too.

    Got incredibly lucky with Daland and his 6 pointer as he was subbed off just before the goal. Same for Sormo but Rosenborg didn't score.

    Very strange GW so far. Genuinely thought we were going to have a couple of nil nil draws today.

    Hopefully Valerenga can sign us off in style this evening. Though I'm expecting Sandefjord to put up a good fight.

  12. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is the game not updating with points from the last game for others too ?

    1. Onz
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yup, it is the same for me. Just a glitch that will get sorted shortly I hope.

      1. Onz
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have some points to come for that match 🙂

  13. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    thanks, I have two cleanies, Kjartansson K & some autosub jam to come, not sure even that will give me a green arrow though 🙂

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's all updated for me bar autosub for Zinckernagel.

      I went with Antonsson this week as K but Kjartansson was a really good shout.

      Getting 6pts for Daland because Zinckernagel is out is the best kind of jam there is.

      I made the decision to bring in Hopmark alongside Sormo a few weeks ago. Doesn't always pay off but when it does it's quite the relief.

      Whenever Zinckernagel and Pellegrino don't return it's interesting to see how much of an affect on people's scores that really has.

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Also have lucky auto subs Hopmark and Daland to come in, along with Kjartansson capt, but may still have only 10 players this GW.

      Game/points updated, at least partially, but still no Bonus showing for Sandefjord-Valerenga. Presumably 3/2 will go to Kjart and Donnum, not sure which way round.

      Also 0 pts / 0 minutes played showing for Bjordal, even though I thought he started and played the game, and assisted the first goal. Should have 9 points at least, unless he has a twin brother?

      Does anyone have any information on Dyrestam/SO8? (not even in match day squad).

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        strangely I seem to have 15 players this week, with the Tuesday fixture

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ah, I was still talking about Rd 21, as bonus had not been added.

          With a heavy heart had shipped Berisha anyway before I read about his test and that Viking still had a fixture in Rd 22, on Tuesday. May be a bad call, as Islamovic back to misfiring. Will get him back ahead of the Viking double.

          1. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Just seen they now have a Wednesday fixture the Round following. Ho-hum.

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kjartansson 3, Dønnum 2, Bjørdal 1

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          hope so

      3. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Think you're looking at defender Bjørdal. This Bjørdal is in midfield

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Grrrr. This now goes down as a schoolboy error, although was not fully compos mentis when I rebuilt my team. Thanks for pointing it out.

          Presumably I will be the customary 0.1m short of the transfer this week.

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            oops !

  14. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    GW23 looks very appealing for Spissrush with Simovic, Berisha & Kjartansson. Not sure there will be a better time to use it between now and end of the season.

    Contemplating the following: Antonsson to Simovic and potentially Hopmark out for Kitolano (-4).

    Probably not the worse time to be taking a hit and as KBK's next few fixtures (valerenga, GLIMT & molde) are looking pretty tough, it's probably not the time to have a defensive double up.
    Odd have one of their easiest fixtures of the season so the move for Kitolano doesn't look a bad one especially as Ruud is out so they're more than likely to be relying on him to do a lot of the attacking work from defence.

    One player I still can't wrap my head around is Velde. He's got less than 10% ownership and while he's hit and miss he's still the 6th highest scoring midfielder in the game. One big negative about bringing him in in the next few weeks is they have a very up and down fixture list so you probably wouldn't expect Haugesund to be able to drum up any kind of momentum.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rich Uncle looks useful too

      1. ReindeerHotdog
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        For sure. I'd perhaps use it if I hadn't wasted it in Runde 14 for a massive 37pts...

        The departure of Hauge and Glimt losing their first game of the season has at least spiced up the league a little bit. The race for 2nd is on and Glimt are indeed fallible!

  15. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    In case anyone missed it, here's how Molde line up this evening:

    1 Linde
    27 Pedersen
    2 Bjornbak
    6 Gregersen
    28 Haugen
    17 Aursnes
    7 Eikrem
    16 Hussain
    19 Hestad
    99 Ohi
    30 Bolly

    Dundalk have just taken the lead after a great ball into the box from Moutney which was headed into the corner by Murray.
    Molde 61%-39% in terms of possession but are yet to have a shot on target. Played almost 100 passes more than Dundalk but yet to do too much with the ball.

  16. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pedersen picks out Hussain in the box for the equaliser. Tidy volley but a huge deflection takes it past Rogers into the goal.

    Pedersen has looked decent all night. Very energetic, positive and attacking. A bit untidy at times and somewhat undisciplined, but he's looked good.

    1-1.

  17. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mathis Bolly subbed off for Knudtzon.

    Not his best performance tonight:
    1 shot (off target), 0 dribbles, 27 touches, 16 passes, 0/3 crosses.

    Knudtzon makes an immediate impact after being hauled down in the box to win Molde a penalty. Looked quite a soft decision but it stands.
    Ohi scores the penalty - only just - after Rogers goes the right way. Molde leading 2-1.

    In other news, Hauge is on the bench for AC Milan in their match against Celtic. Hopefully we see him get more than just a 15 minute cameo at the end of the game.

  18. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Eikrem off, Ellingsen on with 10 minutes to go.

    Molde still leading 2-1.

  19. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ohi subbed off for Brynhildsen in the dying stages of the game.

    He was down for a short period a few minutes before he was taken off, but he ran off and looks fine on the sidelines. One to keep an eye on in the next few days but he seems to be fine.

  20. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Final score:

    Dundalk 1-2 Molde.

    Hussain probably the best player on the pitch but Pedersen also looked quite good.
    Bolly has surely squandered his chance to secure more first team chances as he was largely forgettable.
    Eikrem, Hestad and Aursnes were below par as well as a pretty shocking performance from Haugen.
    Not a brilliant performance but they did have 60% possession, 10 shots & made 446 accurate passes.

    That is 3 wins in a row now for Molde but Moe will surely be asking why they couldn't score 1 or 2 more goals tonight.

  21. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good night for Norwegian football in Scotland.

    Elyounoussi scored for Celtic and Hauge gets his first goal for Milan despite only playing 10 minutes.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think that was the only sequence in those 10 minutes where he touched the ball with his feet too. Classic case of teammates ignoring simple passes to the new kid on the block

      1. ReindeerHotdog
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It's a strange one.

        This Milan team is a young one with a lot of players with bright futures.

        Not too sure Poli is the right man to get the best out of them long term but we're experiencing the best form for quite literally years.

        Hopeful of Hauge being able to use this goal and his form as a means to stake a claim for more game time.

        1. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          *Pioli, not Poli!

  22. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Are Bytyqi and Zinc out this weekend? Any injury news?

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'll be keeping an eye on this tomorrow but really difficult to know for sure about either.

      Glimt don't play until Sunday evening and Viking not until Monday.

      Zinckernagel is one of those players you don't really want to move on if you have a decent amount of money tied up in him and he'll only be out for a week or two, and Bytyqi is one of the form players you'd be loathe to be without.

      I'm holding both for now but will make my final decision a bit nearer the deadline. Ideally if you've just concerns with those two you'll have good enough players to come in for a week anyway.

      I'm potentially without 4 of my players and still undecided as to whether I'll actually replace any of those potentially unavailable players for this week.

      I'll make a point to post whatever I find out before deadline tomorrow, as I'm sure will other regulars in here.

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers RH!

        After a good week last week by going heavy on FKH, I just want to try and push into the top 1K this year as that was the goal!

        Rashani(c) will hopefully get me there!

        Thanks for the insights, I’ll keep an eye out for your post.

        1. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I like the Rashani captaincy shout. Odd have a great fixture and should be able to tear AAFK apart.

          While Rashani's underlying stats aren't great, he's been clinical of late and a good ESF asset. I've been flirting with bringing Kitolano in this week but not sure whether I will. I think he'd be a great pick for this week (plus double next week) but not ready to do anything just yet.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I sold Zinck for Zach last week so will hold that position.

      Viking have a double next week so will hold Bytyqi too, but I have 8 front line attackers so would have to bench one any way.

      I was more concerned about Daland but his flag is now removed.

      I am still in the Cup so holding injured players is not the best of ideas because I need to set up some variance and advantage against my opponents, which is quite hard when we all have the same players.

      1. ReindeerHotdog
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah that's fair.

        There's certainly more than one way to approach this situation. As long as you're happy with your own convictions and can live with your decisions whatever you choose.

        I'm still adamant I want Zinckernagel for the rest of the season so am happy to look into workarounds. Perhaps not the best approach but saving 0.4m is imperative for me to get the players I want going forward.

        Bringing in Zachariassen is a nice move though. Sarpsborg away doesn't look like it'll promise too many goals but Rosenborg have the players to make it happen.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          if Zinck wasn’t injured I will still have him and will buy him back when fit ... probably 🙂

      2. ReindeerHotdog
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Oh and good luck in the cup.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          thanks

  23. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone have any news on Dyrestam of SO8?

    Reshuffled my defence 2 weeks ago - he's not been seen or heard since!

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just read he's good to go.

      He's a great pick, too. Couple of tough fixtures for Sarpsborg but after the next couple of GWs I'll probably bring him in myself.

      OOP defender who puts himself about and enjoys attacking. Good pick!

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. The problem is I'm the customary 0.1m short of another move I need to make, having made a schoolboy error of transferring in 'the wrong Bjordal'. Can downgrade Dyrestam to afford Kitolano.

        Also contemplating Islamovic > Bakenga, which would free up enough funds to buy a Caribbean island somewhere. Think you are/were a fan of Islamovic... would you get rid?

        1. ReindeerHotdog
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Funny you should mention Dino.

          He's one of the highest goalscorers in last 5 game weeks and while he doesn't get too involved, he seems to be scoring.

          I don't like S08 away. They're one of the form teams and have a great defence of late. Not too sure RBK are creative enough to warrant bringing in Dino, but at the same time shipping him doesn't fall into my plans until Berisha is back.

          If money is no object, he's up there as forwards go. But he's that kind of player that could inexplicably stop scoring for 3 weeks.

          My team as it is in my profile as I've not made any transfers yet. I think Kitolano will be a good player to have as he'll be more attacking for Odd than Risa was. I'm more tempted by Simovic than Bakenga as I think he's not only better but in good form of late.

          If you use your FT to go Dino to Bakenga/Simovic I couldn't fault it. If you have no other pressing issues, I'd back that move. With the DGW coming up you're at least getting an Odd player for AAFK and then prepped for the two games the following week. Just be prepared for the unthinkable though. Always happens in this league...

          Bringing in the wrong Bjordal is tough... He's been insatiable form. His stats are crazy too, as are Donnum's.

          1. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yes Berisha is my first choice of forward. Got him in very early and ahead of the stampede, although I've shifted him out of late. He'll be back in next week.

            Means I will probably just do Bjordal > Nasberg for now, go without an Odd defender this week and hope that somehow, Aalesund score against them. Then do Dyrestam > Kitolano next week or the one after to avoid a hit and hope price changes don't prevent it.

            Islamovic only scored in one of the last 3 games - oddly enough against Odd.

            1. ReindeerHotdog
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              In the end I went ahead with bringing in Ari Jonsson for Hopmark. Feel pretty vindicated with that as Sandefjord look good defensively and as he's been quite good attacking of late, it felt right to bring him in.

              In my upcoming article (missed the deadline to get it in for before this GW) I look over who I feel are good choices and their recent form and I mentioned there that he was one player I'd be looking at for this GW.

              I think bringing a defender in for just clean sheet potential in Eliteserien is a risky strategy. As it is in FPL right now. Kitolano offers good value at both ends of the pitch though but Nasberg isn't a bad shout either. The thing is, the way Valerenga midfielders are playing, you could even make the case to own both Bjordal and Donnum. Donnum's stats are genuinely frightening over the last 5 gameweeks.

              Could you not lose someone other than Dyrestam? He looks good for value and potential at both ends of the pitch. Ironically he's a defender I'm looking at bringing in within the next couple of rounds.

  24. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mini update:

    Looks like Zinckernagel is 50/50 at best but from what I've read he's more likely to not be played. Not advising either way, just a surmisation of what people in the know are saying on twitter.

    Bytyqi is a hard one as Viking don't play until later next week so it's anyone's guess.

    Dyrestam was apparently quarantined at home but his flag has been removed and he's apparently ready to go.

    Anything changes I'll be sure to post.

    Still not sure what I'm doing. I'd like to bring in Ari Jonsson but if Bytyqi is fit I have a strong XI ready to go and it'll be a wasted transfer.

    Being able to navigate the DGW with two free transfers would be nice, too. At least we have another 4 and a half hours to ponder...

    1. Entonces
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What would your WC look like right now (with the DGW also in mind)? I've fallen a bit behind in some mini-leagues, so need some tips to advance.

      1. ReindeerHotdog
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's a really difficult question to answer.
        As I'm answering it now, I'll answer as if I'm wildcarding now, just before the DGW.
        I'd probably end up with something like this:

        Storevik, Myhra
        Dyrestam*, Ruud, Ari Jonsson, Borchgrevink, Daland
        Zinckernagel, Edvardsen, Pellegrino, Bytyqi, Donnum
        Simovic, Kjartansson, Berisha.
        (1.8m ITB).

        I think due to ownership, stats, team form and individual form, I'd be hard-pressed to go without Bytyqi and Berisha. If they're both fit, they're no-brainers for the double. Hardly insightful but some things are just too obvious not to state.

        Ruud would be my number 1 Odd pick but I'd like one of Simovic or Bakenga up front. I'd probably go for Simovic as I think he's the better player, more of an aerial threat from set pieces and I fancy him to at least match his teammate while being almost 0.5m cheaper. Rashani is also a good shout - his stats aren't brilliant but he's been clinical and he offers an affordable way into a good attack with decent games on the horizon. Barring Valerenga, their main challenge between now and the end of the season lies with a home fixture against Molde in R29.

        I love Sandefjord. There's some absolute bargains in both teams. Vidar Ari Jonsson has been a revelation this season - he goes straight in as well as Storevik in goal. He's 4.6m but performing like he's channelled his inner Rossbach or Sandberg.

        One of Donnum or Bjordal is a must - they're the best players in the league at the moment and I can't see any reason as to why they'd let up in between now and the end of the season. Zinckernagel has to be included along with Kjartansson up top. I think he scores big in R25 against AAFK too.

        Sarpsborg have been great lately but they have some really though upcoming fixtures. I'd like to have one of Lindseth or Heintz in there but I think there's probably better options fixture-wise over the next 3-5 GWs. That's why I've gone for Edvardsen as he's picking up bonus points with ease (4 in the last two GWs and 10 in total for the season) as well as scoring 5, setting up 4 and getting 6 CS points. He's on 94 pts already isn't even 6.5m. He's also ins just 1.5% of all teams. He's a stonking differential and I'm backing him to be integral to Stabaek's end of the season.

        Dyrestam could be replaced with Kitolano or anyone you fancy. I'd be happy playing Ruud, Borch and Ari Jonsson every week so wouldn't be against benching him if need be. Utvik is also a brilliant choice as is Odegaard if you're happy to have a Sarpsborg defender (best defence right now) over the next 5 gameweeks. Moe is always an option. Not in many teams, cheap and unless you've got Junker, Zinckernagel and Saltnes, you probably have a free Glimt slot. I'd like to recommend Marius Hoibraten but I'm not convinced enough over his guaranteed minutes despite playing 90 in his last two games.

        I wouldn't want to stray too far from some template picks but there's some really good variables that offer differential routes into point scoring over the next few weeks, of that I'm certain. Form over fixture or fixture over form remains a prevalent question when deciding, but I'd be wanting to fashion a WC team I'm confident can weather a variety of storms rather than not.

        Final mentions for Hove, Holse and Hestad. They're all quality players that have scored 80 points between them since Runde 17, scoring 4 goals and 7 assists in the process. Hove is the most highly owned asset in almost 16% of teams, but Holse (5%) and Hestad (2.8%) are real differentials playing for two of the best teams in the league.

        Sorry for the long reply but hopefully it's somewhat helpful! Good luck.

  25. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So glad I have Foden. Tinkerman Pep must keep him in the team

  26. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Had a bit of a mare with the deadline for this week. Fully aware it was 4pm but I'm sitting in the kitchen with the missus eat fajita's and at 3.55pm I'm like "MY TEAM!"

    Do a bit of scrambling around on twitter and after a minute or two I decide there's no information to be found on whether or not Zinckernagel is going to feature. I decide it's only logical for me to make a sub as with Daland back I can be sure of fielding a full XI.

    I shipped Hopmark for Ari Jonsson. One of my best moves all season pays off pretty much instantly and that's where I got it right. Where I got wrong, however, was playing 4 defenders and benching BOTH Bytyqi and Zinckernagel. The original plan was to only bench one of them (who to choose though...) so if one of them played I'd get their points, whilst not being at the mercy of the Gods of Injury and banking on them both playing.

    Now I'm fearing the worst with Zinckernagel potentially featuring against a truly pathetic, lacklustre Mjondalen side. From what I've read he's not likely to play but this is Norwegian football - it's far from straightforward. Bytyqi is probably more likely to play and with Viking in such good form as they are, he could be deadly. Hopefully Zinck stays on the bench/does not feature and Bytyqi is given nothing more than a cameo.

    Also decided to hold Antonsson rather than ship for Simovic for a hit. Another decision that's gone my way and I've moved up 302 places already this week. I was 1,153 at the end of R20 and now I'm up to 648. Hope for that top 500 finish still. Main take away from this is that with a few smart and even more lucky transfer/decisions, you can get ahead of those around you and close the gap between yourself and the chasing pack.

  27. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Islamovic rewarding us for sticking with him. As good as Sarpsborg have been defensively over the last 5 Rundes, this was always going to be a test.

    They just don't look as good without Utvik. Long game ahead for them.

  28. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sahraoui looking really good so far.

    Combined with Borchgrevink on the edge of the area following a corner, almost scoring from just outside the box.
    Has also made some promising passes and looks to be the main man for creativity so far.
    Fed Kjartansson a lovely through ball into the area but it just went out a little bit wide.

    A lot of the play has come down the left hand side so Bjordal and Donnum aren't really in the game as much as we'd expect them to be.

  29. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ah. Kaptein Kjartansson should have done better there. The ball comes to him just outside the 6 yard box but his shot is blocked just in front of McDermott.

    Should be 1-0.

  30. ReindeerHotdog
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    It's so depressing watching Helland try to play football. He looks like this level is just a bit too much for him.

    Maybe it's something to do with overall fitness, but he always seems out of breath and flustered. Making a few too mistakes too regularly for it to be a fluke. Not good enough for Rosenborg that's for sure.