Rosenborg BK vs Sarpsborg 08
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Today’s free tip is in the Norwegian Eliteserien encounter between Rosenborg BK and Sarpsborg 08 in Trondheim.
Even though they’ve not beaten Rosenborg BK in their last five attempts, Sarpsborg 08 have kept four of those games very competitive. Indeed, were it not for their recent managerial change, I’d have perhaps given the x2 a substantial consideration here because they’d started to look organised.
However, Allsvenskan outfit IFK Goteborg sent up an SOS after sacking manager Nilsson, and Sarpsborg 08’s Swedish manager Stahre answered the call. Subsequently, as of early this month, former Norway international Lars Bohinen is their manager. I don’t know how he’ll fare, but the signs against Molde FK last time out were that he’ll need to hone his tactics just a tad. Sarpsborg 08 can lose hard games; that’s acceptable. Given they consider themselves to be very good at defending and countering though, losing 4-1 is not acceptable, even against title hopefuls.
I have to admit that I like the Sarpsborg 08 squad this season though. It’s been two or three years since I could last say that. They had that magical year in Europe, lost a load of players, and then coped really badly with the aftermath, almost getting relegated. Things look better for them now though, and they’re a lot more solid. They’ve managed to bring experienced attacker Opseth in, re-sign rapid French donkey Muhammed (one of the worst finishers I’ve ever seen, but remarkably good timing of runs), and target man Kone from Haugesund to give them all the options that they could wish for – and that’s not even including Abdellaoue, who is injured.
Salteros, Lindseth, Halvorsen – alright, there’s no Heintz in this squad anymore, but that’s still a capable midfield from a creative and goal-scoring perspective. They’re not bad at the back either, or rather they weren’t before Bohinen took over. I don’t know how long it’ll take him to adjust but until then, I’m going to sit on the fence because Sarpsborg 08 are just making things that bit easier for their opponents than usual, which is a dangerous game to play. It’ll suit Rosenborg BK too, who would normally struggle to break this team out.
The odds are rising on the Rosenborg BK win here because they’re without star midfielder Zachariassen today. Live wire Vecchia and midfield maintainer Henriksen are both still out too, which makes the Rosenborg BK task today that bit more complicated. They’ve stopped playing as well lately, not that you’d find that especially apparent from their form guide. I won’t say that I expected them to lose at the Marienlyst last time out, but I saw the potential of it after back-to-back fortunate wins against Sandefjord and Stabaek respectively, both of which were won via clinical finishing rather than a dominant display.
Essentially, Rosenborg BK have stopped controlling games, frequently giving chances away once more, and other Norwegian teams have stopped fearing them quite as much because of it. Rosenborg BK still have the firepower to outscore most Eliteserien teams, it’s true, but they’ve lost the respect that they once had at this level, and having failed to shake off their typical big Nordic club complacency, it’s made them a bit of a wildcard team. They’re good enough to beat most opponents, and yet not reliable enough at it. These are strange years for Rosenborg BK, who used to dominate Norwegian football very easily.
The current squad under Hareide is good though. I don’t remember the last time they had as many class acts as they do. Skjelbred, Molins, Zachariassen, Vecchia, Henriksen – they’re all very good players. They’ve unearthed a good Swedish target man in Wiedesheim-Paul to keep Islamovic on his toes, and have Holse and Ceide to keep their attack mobile, which is absolutely essential after a year or so without any speed up top, hence the over-reliance on Zachariassen’s late runs from midfield. This squad should be better equipped to cope without Zachariassen right now; that’s my theory. I won’t deny that he’s brilliant but if they can’t score without him with this squad, there’s something very wrong somewhere.
I agree with the majority of bettors here, though – Rosenborg BK are priced too short to win the game. I think Sarpsborg 08 can annoy them with fast counters. I’m not quite brave enough to enter the 1×2 market personally, but I have to believe that backing both teams to score makes sense here.
Verdict: Both teams to score at 9/10.
Sunday’s Thoughts
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts. For confidence ratings, you’ll need to go to the members section here.
Australian A-League:
Melbourne City vs Macarthur FC
Brazilian Serie A:
Palmeiras vs America Mineiro
Internacional vs Ceara
Bahia vs Corinthians
Santos vs Sao Paulo
Fortaleza vs Fluminense
Athletico Paranaense vs Atletico Goianiense
Juventude vs Sport Recife
Faroese Betrideildin:
KI vs IF
Vikingur Gota vs 07 Vestur Sorvagur
Finnish Ykkonen:
Klubi-04 vs Gnistan
Jaro Pietarsaari vs PK-35 Helsinki
KPV vs MuSa
MP vs Jippo Joensuu
Icelandic PepsiMaxDeild:
KA vs Valur Reykjavik
Fylkir Reykjavik vs IA
Stjarnan Gardabaer vs HK
Keflavik vs Leiknir Reykjavik
Breidablik Kopavogur vs FH
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Panevezys vs Riteriai
Kauno Zalgiris vs Hegelmann Litaun
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Mjondalen vs Stromsgodset
Brann Bergen vs Odd
Haugesund vs Kristiansund
Molde FK vs Stabaek
Rosenborg BK vs Sarpsborg 08
Tromso vs Lillestrom
Valerenga Oslo vs Bodo/Glimt
Enjoy your free betting tips!