Brann - Stabaek, Norwegian Tippeligaen
2004-09-13 19.00 CET
Pick: Brann
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,80
Final reasons
Brann is one of the best home teams in the Norwegian Tippeligaen. They have a fully fit squad to choose from and have also performed well in their recent matches. A win will mean that they climb to fourth place and have a bronze medal and the Royal League in reach. Stabaek has underperformed during the whole season. Tonight they will have three regular defenders missing and since there are no signs of an improvement in their play we believe that they will collect their fourth straight defeat. Medium stake, 3%.
General comment about the game
Tonight the Norwegian Tippeligaen will finish its 20th round when Brann play at home against Stabaek. If Brann wins this game they will climb to the important fourth place. The first four will get the chance to participate in the new Royal League during the winter break together with the best teams from Sweden and Denmark. Brann was by many tipped to be among these teams when the season kicked off in April. So far they have had mixed results; at home they are one of the strongest sides in the league but when playing away they started the season with four straight defeats. However since then they have started to collect points also on the road since they have won three out of the latest five games. Last game was two weeks ago away to fifth placed Ham-Kam. It was pretty amazing that Brann lost that game. However, two set pieces made it happen; first an unnecessary penalty kick and five minutes later the Brann players were sleeping on a corner. Brann ruled the game all the way and during the last 20 minutes they were all on attack. However, despite their instant press in the remainder of the game Brann could only manage to score once and eventually lost the game. In their last home game they won against relegation candidates Sogndal with 2-1. It was a fair result since Brann dominated, had better control of the ball and created most of the chances. However, Sogndal had some opportunities and in the end they could have equalised but instead they hit the crossbar. Brann has no important players missing tonight. Instead they have strengthened their squad with Austria international midfielder/defender Paul Scharner just before the transfer window closed.
Stabaek is fighting to avoid relegation. At the moment they are in the drop zone so they are in great need of points. The last couple of seasons they have been in the top flight but during this season they have struggled all the way. It has been apparent that they miss a striker that can score many goals on a regular basis so the loss of former best striker Tryggvi Gudmundsson to Swedish side Örgryte before the season has hurt them. Also the loan affair with English side Blackburn concerning midfield giant Martin Andresen weakened the team in the first half of the season. Andresen is now back again and has been present in the last couple of games but so far his presence has not made any real impact on the results. Stabaek is now in a row of three straight defeats. In last round they lost at home to Lyn with 0-1. The visitors had control over the midfield and created a couple of more very good chances. In all a well deserved victory for Lyn. Stabaek has three regular defenders missing to this game; Tom Stenvoll (17(2) apps, 2 goals) and Christian Holter (14(4) apps, 1 goal) are suspended while Inge André Olsen (17 apps, 1 goal) is injured. Since they only got three more defenders except youngsters, midfielder Tommy Stenersen (15(3) apps, 1 goal) will probably take the left back position.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-08-29 |
Ham Kam-Brann |
2-1 |
|
2004-08-22 |
Brann-Sogndal |
2-1 |
|
2004-08-08 |
Odd Grenland-Brann |
0-2 |
|
2004-08-02 |
Brann-Vålerengen |
1-1 |
|
2004-07-25 |
Molde-Brann |
2-3 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-08-29 |
Stabaek–Lyn |
0-1 |
|
2004-08-22 |
Bodö/Gimt-Stabaek |
3-1 |
|
2004-08-08 |
Tromsö-Stabaek |
2-1 |
|
2004-08-01 |
Stabaek-Ham Kam |
1-1 |
|
2004-07-25 |
Sogndal-Stabaek |
1-2 |
Home table
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Brann |
10 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
21-15 |
20 |
Away table
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Stabaek |
9 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
6-16 |
7 |
Links for this game
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Brann: |
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Stabaek: |
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// SportsObserver 040913
