SonderjyskE vs AGF
KO: (UK time)
The bookies still don’t know what to do with SonderjyskE, do they? Fun times. The home team have made lots of good signings now they’ve got financial backing, and they’ve been playing well rather early in the season too, all things considered. However, they’ve had absentees, and are up against a team that is supposed to be a bonified European contender this season so pricing this one up has evidently been a nightmare for the bookies. AGF as favourites at 11/10 raises questions for me here. Had Absalonsen been fit for the home team, I would have considered a home win with draw no bet. Alas, the veteran is not available, so that particular train can be allowed to leave the station; this one could go either way.
I’m struggling to accept that there won’t be goals though. As well as SonderjyskE have done with integrating their new faces, there’s still a defensive core to the team that can be exploited. I think new Australian goalkeeper Thomas has done well, and I thought he would – he was always a very steady performer for Melbourne Victory over the past few years. Their defence looks ropey though, even with Hende now in it. I’m sure they’ll improve it with time, but the priority was to improve their attack, and they’ve definitely done that. I suppose it makes sense, really. Not many Superligaen teams defend especially well; the ones that succeed are the ones that have the best attacks, so SonderjyskE spending what they have on their new attack has paid dividends.
They had a reasonable enough core with Bah and Albaek anyway, and have now added Nigerian midfield controller Onazi to the equation, which is a great signing. With Absalonsen pulling the strings, rapid Hassan out wide, and Jacobsen and Wright given the responsibility of scoring goals, SonderjyskE look dangerous. They look mobile, confident, clinical, and varied. This has become a team that not only works hard but is also effective, which is why they’re currently at the top of the table. They won’t stay there, of course, but they’re doing well at the moment, and that really should be recognised.
On top of that, let’s not overlook who is in charge – none other than Glen Riddersholm, the man arguably unfairly sacked by tonight’s opponents AGF a few years back when he was being bolder than they wanted him to be with his tactical approach. Ironically enough, AGF have now become the team that he laid out the blueprints for. It’s a funny old world, isn’t it? Anyway, he’s a very attack-minded manager, and with a top-heavy team like SonderjyskE, I struggle to accept that the home team will do anything but attack tonight.
The question is more about what AGF will do. They’ve been sloppy defensively this season, the visitors, and it’s often cost them away from home. The signs were their earlier in the campaign when they hosted FC Honka Espoo in the UEFA Europa League but even the return of Dijks for another loan spell hasn’t improved things too much. They’ve gone and found themselves a new goalkeeper in Poland’s Grabara too, which adds a further complication to their defensive setup. I’ve seen worse defences than this at Superligaen level, but they’re still not a team I trust to contain their opponents – for now.
Their attack is dangerous though. Mortensen is a really good goal-scorer at this level, and he’s well-fed by Amini (when fit), Thorsteinsson, Blume, Hvidt, Erlykke etc. He’ll have to be, now that big Bundu has moved to Belgium to play for RSC Anderlecht! Ankersen’s move to Esbjerg means a bit of integration for their younger players is required, but nothing to lose sleep over. This is still a very settled team that does not struggle to break opponents down. I am unsure as to whether they have enough depth to achieve what the bookies seem to think that they will this season, but they’re certainly good enough to trouble SonderjyskE’s back line tonight.
Therefore, whichever way this game goes, backing over 2.5 goals at 4/5 appeals to me.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.