Date: August 3, 2014
Venue: Nadderud Stadium, Baerum, Norway
Time: 18:00 BST
Two teams with different ambitions meet in the Norwegian Tippeligaen on Sunday. Rosenborg are fighting for a Europa League spot next season, and are only two points behind third place Odd Grenland.
Stabaek, meanwhile, are in 11th place, just four points away from having to play a relegation playoff. However, Stabaek could have an advantage in that they don’t have European action to deal with, while Rosenborg had to travel to Turkey on Thursday.
Stabaek’s Pre-season Form
L-L-D-W-L
Stabaek, coached by American Bob Bradley, have had an absolutely dreadful run in the league as of late. They have lost six out of the last 7 league games. The only positive in their form is that they were able to advance to the quarter-finals of the Norwegian Cup.
Rosenborg’s Pre-season Form
L-W-W-L-D
Rosenborg’s form is much better, in the last 5 games they advanced to the 3rd round of Europa League Qualifying, picked up 3 out of 6 points in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, and they went to Turkey and tied KArdemir Karabuskpor. The only negative in their form is that their one league loss came against 1st place Molde, so now Rosenborg is 12 points off of first.
Key players
Stabaek: Jon Inge Holland
Having featured in all of Stabaek’s league games this season except one, the 36 year-old Norwegian defender must take charge of Stabaek’s defense. So far this season, they have conceded more gaols than any team in the league.
Rosenborg: Alexander Soderlund
Rosenborg are opposite to Stabaek in the table and also in goalscoring as well, as only Molde have scored more goals this season. Key to that impressive tally has been the Norwegian forward Alexander Soderlund, who scored 9 goals so far this season.
Prediction
Although Rosenborg did have to travel all the way to Turkey on Thursday, I still think they have the advantage in this game. Stabaek haven’t won a league game since May 20th, and I don’t see that trend being broken here. I am looking at least a two-goal win for Rosenborg; you can bet with bet365 (at 1.91) and if you don’t already have an account you can claim a 250-quid bonus too.