Esbjerg-FC Nordsjælland

Monday 24/02 19.00

The packed schedule of EfB (11th) in autumn may be the reason they are below the relegation line. Last year they were there as well but pulled off an amazing come back and finished 4th and won the cup. They need another one this spring. The game has been good which is evident in their SoTR at 58%. They are second best in the league according to this metric. The paradox of being high in SoTR and not in league placement is due to the fact that they cannot score. That is why they signed striker Martin Pusic from Brann Bergen. His stats tell us that he is probably not the saint Esbjerg needs. He only scored nine goals in 27 league appearances. With goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow out with an injury, newcomer Martin Dubravka will start. He has showed some of his skills in the friendlies during the winter break. Rønnow’s total saving percentage was the lowest in the league at 64% so it could be a good signing. Talismanic midfielder Magnus Lekven was most of the late autumn, but he is back now. He could stabilise the defence but that is only one part of the problem for Esbjerg. Defender and vice captain Kian Hansen is suspended and other central defence regular Askou is injured. FC Nordsjælland (6th) ended the autumn on a decent note. They started getting some momentum and wintered at the middle of the table. The infirmary, which was the main reason for the poor results during autumn, is not as crowded as it was at the start of the season. Midfielder Anders Christiansen are out because of an injury but the starting 11 will be close to the best starting 11 that coach Kasper Hjulmand can play. During the winter friendlies Hjulmand has started with David Jensen at the goal instead of Martin Hansen. He has hinted that Jensen also will start in the league as well. This is not an unnatural selection from Hjulmand since Hansen has not been outstanding.

With such a long winter break many teams take this opportunity to start anew. For some like Esbjerg who are in dire need of a clean slate the winter break came at a good time. The only problem for Esbjerg is that they still need that striker who can score 15 goals per season. With a closer-to-empty infirmary FC Nordsjælland could get back on track this weekend. Add to this that Esbjerg have a massive Europa League match in midweek against Fiorentina that might have the players primary focus.

Idea: 2 - 2.92 at Betfair

Team info:

Esbjerg:

Autumn:

Position: 11th

Points: 19

SoTR: 58,06% (2nd)

PDO: 910

Important transfers:

In:
Martin Dúbravka (MSK Zilina)

Michael Jakobsen (FC Nordsjælland)

Martin Pusic (Brann Bergen)

Out:

Pape Pate Diouf (end of loan, FC Copenhagen)

Typical line-up in autumn:

Rønnow; Knudsen, Hansen, Askou, P. Ankersen; Lyng, Andreasen, Lekven, J. Ankersen; van Buren, Diouf

Expected line-up in spring:

Dúbravka; Knudsen, Hansen, Jakobsen, P. Ankersen; Lyng, Andreasen, Lekven, J. Ankersen; Fellah, Pusic

FC Nordsjælland:

Autumn:

Position: 6th

Points: 23

SoTR: 50,81% (6th)

PDO: 938

Important transfers:

In:
-

Out:

Michael Jakobsen (Esbjerg)

Typical line-up in autumn:

Hansen; Mtiliga, Jakobsen, Gregor, Stryger; Stokholm, Christiansen; John, Vingaard, Ticinovic; Nordstrand

Expected line-up in spring:

Hansen; Mtiliga, Runje, Gregor, Stryger; Stokholm, Christiansen; John, Vingaard, Ticinovic; Nordstrand