FC Nordsjælland-Viborg

Friday 28/2 18.30

FC Nordsjælland (7th) were one of the main disappointment in the first round. They lost 2-1 in Esbjerg, but the loss could easily have been bigger. FC Nordsjælland suffered from the absence of striker Nordstrand (got injured in last training) and the solution with midfielder Christiansen on top did not work. The play improved when striker Aabech entered after an hour. Aabech is likely to start in this match if Nordstrand is still unavailable (unfortunately we have not been able to get any information regarding his status). One of the advantages for FC Nordsjælland is that they return to their own stadium with artificial grass. On that surface FC Nordsjælland have not lost in six consecutive matches. Viborg (10th) are another story when being at foreign grass. They possess the league’s by far lowest away SoTR at 31% and they have not won in six consecutive away matches. Viborg had a decent start in a fairly even match against Randers (1-1). Dalgaard, the efficient league top scorer, were unsurprisingly the goal scorer. Viborg will need Dalgaard to have another efficient day since they are likely to be put under severe pressure. In the last two away matches (AaB and FC Copenhagen) Viborg have only managed to get one shot on target. But these matches were in the autumn and a lot have changed in Viborg. They look stronger with the addition of winger Boysen, although he will have a difficult task dribbling past the speedy back Stryger Larsen. The jury is still out on the change of management. New head coach Skarbalius does not seem to have made any radical changes to Viborg’s style though.

We believe that FC Nordsjælland will dominate this match. Especially the mismatch between winger John and right back Pallesen should be worrying for Viborg fans. FC Nordsjællands winning chances are however correlated with the participation of the preferred striker Nordstrand. If he is playing 1.67 for home win should be value (called up squad will reveal it tomorrow). Otherwise we would skip the match.

Idea: 1 – 1.67 at Mermaidbet

UPDATE: Nordstrand not in the list of called up players. No bet for us.