Odd Grenland - Lilleström, Norwegian Tippeliga
2004-05-20 18.00 CET
Pick: Odd Grenland
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,95
Final reasons
Third placed Odd Grenland will be visited by tenth placed Lilleström tonight in a clash in the Norwegian Tippeligan. Odd Grenland has started the new campaign in a promising way and is still unbeaten. Tonight they face a Lilleström team that has not won since the premiere and that has been shaky in their defence so far. Lilleström is also missing four first team regulars. Since Odd Grenland is on a high showing great spirit and desire, we believe that they will beat a depleted Lilleström team at home tonight. Medium stake 3% is suggested.
General comment about the game
Last season Odd Grenland surprised by finishing in fourth spot in the league. During the pre season many so called experts in Norway expect the team to finish in the lower part of the table this year. However, the aim for the team is to finish higher than last year. So far it looks promising for Odd Grenland since they still are unbeaten after six rounds. At home they have two convincing victories over Fredrikstad and Stabaek and a goalless draw against Lyn. In last round the played away against Viking Stavanger. The match ended 2-2 after Odd being in the lead twice. Odd were the better team and had opportunities to extend their lead before Viking equalised for the second time. To this season they have released their top scorer from last year; Edwin van Ankeren. Instead they have signed two new strikers; Olivier Occéan and Morten Knutsen. Occéan has already scored three goals. So far Odd has scored two goals per game in average so it seems not be any problems with the changes upfront. Odd has also signed midfielder Trond Toresen. However, the strongest part of their team has been their defence the last couple of years. Since there are no vital changes in this part we predict it to be strong and solid even this year. So far they have only conceded five goals in their six played matches. Odd Grenland’s only concern for tonight’s game is the injury on their first choice goalkeeper Erik Holtan. His replacement will be Morten Olsen. Olsen has played well recently when he has come on as substitute in the last two games in Tippeligan. He was also in the starting line up in the easy cup victory three weeks ago and also in the league game against Brann. So, we do not believe that this change will be of any greater importance for Odd’s winning plans tonight.
Lilleström is expected to be in the top race this year. However, their start of the season does not look promising at all. They won their premiere at home against newcomer Fredrikstad but have struggled since then and are still waiting for their next victory. They have made some interesting signings to this year; creative wingbacks Christoffer Andersson and Shane Stefanutto and play maker Robert Koren. Most important player missing since last season is central defender Torgeir Bjarmann who has retired. Lilleström is known to play tight and sometimes boring with a style of play that encourages long balls and good defensive work. However, so far this season the defence has looked very shaky from time to time and has been responsible for several mistakes that have lead to goals. Tonight Lilleström is badly weakened since four first team regulars is missing. Striker Magnus Powell and goalkeeper Emille Baron are injured and midfielders Robert Koren and Espen Sögård are suspended. The absence of Powell and Koren will have a bad effect on their ability to score since they do not have any good substitutes to replace them with. Instead, we believe that they will have to rely on their defensive skills if they are going to collect any points tonight. However, as stated above the defence (especially in central) has not looked promising so it does not look good for Lilleström tonight.
Recent games for home team
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2004-05-16 |
Viking-Odd Grenland |
2-2 |
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2004-05-09 |
Odd Grenland-Fredrikstad |
5-2 |
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2004-05-02 |
Brann-Odd Grenland |
1-1 |
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2004-04-25 |
Odd Grenland-Lyn |
0-0 |
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2004-04-18 |
Bodö/Glimt-Odd Grenland |
0-2 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-05-16 |
Lilleström-Vålerengen |
0-1 |
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2004-05-12 |
Viking-Lilleström |
1-1 |
|
2004-05-09 |
Molde-Lilleström |
2-2 |
|
2004-05-02 |
Lilleström-Rosenborg |
2-2 |
|
2004-04-25 |
Tromsö-Lilleström |
1-0 |
Home table
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Odd Grenland |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7-2 |
7 |
Away table
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Lilleström |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3-4 |
2 |
Links for this game
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Odd Grenland: |
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Lilleström: |
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Livescore: |
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// SportsObserver 040520
