Football – Norway – Tippeligaen
Saturday 2nd August 2014 – Kickoff: 1530hrs
The venue for my next pick is the Marienlyst Stadion with hosts Stromsgodset taking on Sogndal as they look to reduce the nine point deficit on league leaders Molde.
Stromsgodset currently sit in second place but with Molde holding a commanding nine point lead over them, it looks like today’s hosts may have to settle for a Europa League spot as they fend off challenges from Valerenga and Rosenborg who are both hot on their heels.
Recent defeats against Lillestrom 0-3 away and a 0-2 loss at home to Valerenga suggests that they still have some way to go to confirming their Europa spot, but wins over bottom club Sandnes 1-0, second from bottom Brann SK 1-0 and another win over Sandnes proves they can handle the lower half teams both home and away.
Indeed, Stromsgodset’s home record against lower half opposition stands at an excellent 5-0-0 11/3, and they have Sogndal in their sights this afternoon.
Visitors Sogndal have struggled overall in their away matches so far this season in the Tippeligaen – just one win from their travels which was a 3-0 win at fourth from bottom club Haugesund but since then they’ve gone a further five matches without a win.
Overall, Sogndal have won just once from their last six which was a 2-0 home win over Valerenga but they’ve lost three of their last four with losses against Molde, Rosenborg and Odd while managing just a point against Viking.
Their overall away record stands at a poor 1-2-5 7/15 and they’ve failed to score in four of their last five away from home which may also put them behind the eight ball here this afternoon.
Stromsgodset have been solid at home all season and have effectively dealt with lower half teams in the division so I’ll back them to cover the -1 line here in what could be perhaps a 2-0 win for the hosts.
Pick: Stromsgodset AH-1 @ 1.65 Pinnacle
