SK Brann - Sogndal Fotball

Norway – Tippeligaen

Kick-off:               10/Jun       19:00 CET

Pick:                     Sogndal Fotball (+1)

Odds:                   1,82 @ Pinnacle

Stake:                   5/10


Result:                 2-0     Profit:   -5

Brann is in tough situation because they will be without three very important players and their squad is not too large. Best midfielder Austin is still at the national team of Jamaica, team captain E. Mjelde is injured while key attacker and topscorer Kim Ojo is suspended. They have only 12 players available, the coach have to use youngsters on the bench. They were defeated last round against Tromsø (0-4) and before that Strømsgodset beat them by 1-0. Coach Steinar Nilsen haven’t got too much possibilities, he will make some tactical changes but there are not published and the team practised behind closed doors.

Relegation candidate Sogndal improved a lot after a terrible season start perhaps thanks to the returned players, first goalkeeper Udjus, key central defender Hovland and right back Solheim struggled with injuries in the first part of the season. When I see this team I must say that the defence looks very well, Udjus (gk) shows excellent performance, Scheel, Per Egil Flo, Hovland and Solheim are stable players, too. The midfield is bearable. Their main problem is the forward department in my opinion, the attackers plays far under the requirement and they are unable to score. Now let’s see the recent results, they won over Stabæk (1-0) and Lillestrøm (2-0) and last week they were defeated against Vålerenga (0-1). Well, I think all three games were balanced, Sogndal was strong opponent. Last round against Vålerenga they defended well as usually and they were a bit tired after the midweek NM Cup game, they used the first starting eleven while Vålerenga did not play, they eliminated early.

I think this +1 asian is much too large. Sogndal have got only a single big defeat this season (1-4 against Odd Grenland) but I must mention that Sogndal used the reservist goalkeeper Bendik, who made huge mistakes there. On the other hand Brann won two times by two or more goals margin, 4-1 against  Lillestrøm and 2-0 against Vålerenga, the opponents did not play so bad. Brann have got important missings while Sogndal will be near the best starting line-up, only regular central midfielder Furebotn is injured and some other guys but they are not important. Brann player Lars Grorud knows well the opponent because played in Sogndal for two years but I have doubts that Brann will take a huge victory here. If the guests will be so disciplined in the defence as usually, they can reach a draw or a surprise win.