Valerenga
With their impressive 3-2 home win against top side Brann, Vålerenga have now won four games in a row, starting to climb up the table. Since the summer break, Rekdal seems to have settled on a regular line-up and despite bringing in some new signings he’s made very few changes to the side. With the good form this could very well be the case again here as he hopes to continue winning. After being up against tougher opponents in the last 3 games, and as Bodø/Glimt are in poor form though, there could still be some changes though. Jonatan Tollås Nation has struggled with injuries lately but should be nearing fitness again and could very well come in to replace Simon Larsen in central defence. Daniel Holm and Magnus Lekven risk being stuck on the bench again as Vajebah Sakor and Simen Juklerød have impressed lately, but up front there could be a change as new signing Henrik Johansen could replace Mohammed Abdellaoue. Playing at home, Vålerenga will be hoping to come out attacking. Against a Bodø/Glimt expected to focus on direct play and counter-attacks, the home side could be allowed to keep the ball and control the pace. Vålerenga does best when attacking with pace so will be hoping for a free-flowing game. They have looked more comfortable in possession lately, with Grindheim and Berge both operating as deep-lying playmakers from their defensive midfield roles. With Juklerød doing well last time they now have strong options on both flanks as Lindkvist and Zahid on the left are in very good form. Defensively they have to be wary of Bodø/Glimt’s counter-attacks, so Grindheim and Berge will sit back a bit and leave the attacking to the front four and provide balance as the fullbacks push up. They have turned their season around with some impressive performances lately. The top spots are probably out of reach but they’ll be hoping to continue winning to break into the upper half.
Bodo/Glimt
Struggling Bodø/Glimt could be without winger Milan Jevtovic here as he’s been rumoured to have travelled to Turkey to sign a deal to take him away from the club. With Brede Moe likely still out with illness, the squad is low on depth and the club is looking to bring in several new players, having been linked with Odd’s Ole Halvorsen, who would be a good replacement should Jevtovic leave. They will be hoping to get any possible reinforcements available for this game, but as Jevtovic looks lost it’ll be up to young Jens Petter Hauge to start up front if no alternative is brought in. Ulrik Saltnes will again replace Moe in central defence. Mathias Normann seems to have taken over Ruslan Babenko’s holding midfield role lately, but as Bodø/Glimt could be forced to defend for long spells here Bjørkan could want to play them both from start, with Patrick Berg back on the bench. They could be forced to sit back and defend here, but Bodø/Glimt won’t mind as they usually do so away from home. They’ll be hoping to press Vålerenga’s midfield into making turnovers to they can launch their preferred direct counter-attacking plays. Defensively it could be a wise choice to bring in Babenko to help the midfield in protecting the back four. This would result in a very defensive midfield trio though, so the link-up play with the striker would suffer. If so, more long passes up to target man Azemi are expected. Bodø/Glimt are in poor form and sit just 1 point above Aalesund in the league table. With Vålerenga’s new-found form this is expected to be a very tough game so they could settle for a draw here.
Verdict & Prediction
Vålerenga seem to have turned their season around with some impressive performances lately. The top spots are probably out of reach but they’ll be hoping to continue winning to break into the upper half.
Prediction: Valerenga -1.00 AH
Odds: 1.89 SBOBET
