Stabaek vs Molde
FreeToday’s featured game is the Eliteserien game between heavyweights Stabaek and under-achieving Molde. On their respective days, both sides are capable of winning this one and basically matching the other but the hosts are looking in far better shape for this one today.
Stabaek had a sluggish start to their Eliteserien campaign but they’ve started to re-emerge having re-signed Gunnarsson to partner ageless Nannskogg in attack. It’s fair to argue the point that they’ve not linked up as well since Gunnarsson was re-signed but the desired effect has still happened with Stabaek having won four out of their last six games in all competitions. They’ve scored nine times during their last four Eliteserien games and whereas their defence is as questionable as ever, the potency of Stabaek is back to its best so they shouldn’t be underestimated. Their last home game in the Eliteserien saw them sweep aside a good Start Kristiansand side 3-0 and they’d travelled to Drammen and beaten a strong “home side” Stromsgodset 3-1 so they’ve certainly got a lot going for them at the moment. I’m a little concerned that the mid-season break may have interrupted their momentum but the fact is that Stabaek are looking their old potent selves and that is a very comforting thought indeed.
Barring Molde’s season of glory last year, Molde haven’t enjoyed their trips to Stabaek in recent times. The may have claimed an invaluable 3-2 win here last year but for the three meetings here prior to that game, the scorelines ended 3-0, 4-0, and 8-0 respectively. Molde are a good side themselves but I can see them experiencing a similar fate against a tough Stabaek side today because of their own ineptitude. Molde haven’t won any of their seven away games in the Eliteserien this season, losing four times and leaking over two goals per away game on average. Molde are still managing to score the odd goal but their defence is absolutely horrific. Consider their last four games, for instance. They’ve won once, lost twice, and drawn once in their last four games in all competitions. They’ve conceded eleven goals during that run, which looks even worse when you consider that two of those games were NM Cupen games against Divisjon 1 and Divisjon 2 clubs respectively, not to mentioned their embarassing 3-1 defeat at an impotent newly-promoted Kongsvinger! Molde also threw away a three-goal lead at home to low-scoring Lillestrom in literally the last minute of the game, bizarrely drawing 3-3. From these results, we can conclude that not all is well in the Molde camp with morale, momentum, or even a basic form of cohesion. They’ve conceded against some weak sides of late but now Molde have the arduous task of travelling to face a side that is good at scoring goals so I think they’re going to have some real problems today.
You need to approach this selection of mine with caution because despite what the Eliteserien table says, Molde are a good side on their day. However, Stabaek have a lot going for them at the moment and Molde have a lot going against them so I really fancy Stabaek here, particularly at the Telenor Arena. I’m astounded that the price on the handicap is so generous so I think it has to be worth a punt on Stabaek to win by two goals or more at 2/1 today, particularly as they’ve managed it for three out of their last four home games against Molde.
Verdict: Stabaek to beat the -1.75 goal handicap at 2/1.
Monday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Dundalk vs Drogheda United – lay Dundalk at evens.
I rarely find value in the Irish Premier League but I think there could be some here today. A disappointing draw in Luxembourg with CS Grevenmacher leaves it all to do for little Dundalk in the return leg in just three days time. Dundalk are on a bad run of form with three consecutive defeats leading up to their embarrassing draw at Grevenmacher four days ago, where they threw a two-goal lead away to eventually draw 3-3. Dundalk’s run of three consecutive defeats saw them lose two at home so why they can’t stutter again today is beyond me, particularly with the UEFA Europa League tie in three days time sure to take their attention over this domestic fixture so there should be players rested too. Drogheda aren’t as good as they used to be but they can still be a handful on their day as they proved by drawing 2-2 here earlier this season. Drogheda have leaked too many away goals this season but have only lost once in their last five Premier League games so they do bring momentum into this game. Hell, they even managed to hold Shamrock Rovers during their last away game so why not under-strength and out-of-form Dundalk? I think the odds on the home win are far too short with the above in mind so laying the hosts at evens could turn out to be a good bet today.
Verdict: Lay Dundalk at evens.
Accumulator fodder:
Breidablik Kopavogur, Stabaek
Recommended bets:
Stabaek and Breidablik Kopavogur at 2/1.
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below!
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
Tampere United vs VPS Vaasa (6) 2-1
JJK Jyvaskyla vs AC Oulu (5) 0-1
Icelandic Urvalsdeild:
Haukar Hafnarfjordur vs Fylkir Reykjavik (5) 1-1
Selfoss vs Breidablik Kopavogur (8) 0-2
Fram Reykjavik vs Valur Reykjavik (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Irish Premier League:
Dundalk vs Drogheda United (3) 0-1, draw no bet
Galway United vs Bray Wanderers (7) 2-0
UCD vs Bohemians (7) 1-2
Sporting Fingal vs Sligo Rovers (5) 0-0
Shamrock Rovers vs St.Patrick’s Athletic (6) 1-1
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Stabaek vs Molde (7) -1.75 handicap
Singaporean S-League:
Home United vs Gombak United (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Swedish Superettan:
Orgryte vs Hammarby (6)
GIF Sundsvall vs IFK Norrkoping (5) over 2.5 goals
Landskrona BoIS vs Jonkopings Sodra (7)
Osters vs Trollhattan (6) under 2.5 goals
Enjoy your free betting tips!