FC Vestsjælland-SønderjyskE

Friday 21/2 18.30

FC Vestsjælland (10th) had a decent 2013. During the winter break they have improved their squad with a strong striker, Ofere, and a speedy and versatile player, Nymann. The improvements have been visible in the friendly matches, where FC Vestsjælland have won four matches and lost only one. The attitude from the players has been very positive with both Bertolt and Lumb stating that they feel the team is stronger than in autumn. FC Vestsjælland have two injury concerns on left and right back: Lumb and Lund. Both are expected to be a part of the upcoming match, but might not have the fitness for a full match. SønderjyskE (12th) got some much needed points in the final rounds of 2013 which make their chances for survival look way bigger today. They start 5 points below safety, so a good start is needed in other to keep faith in surviving. Their squad looks better with the signings of former Austrian international Okotie, Zimbabwean international Songani and FC Fredericia captain Kanstrup. Especially the addition of striker Okotie could be important since SønderjyskE have lacked firing power in front. SønderjyskE scored fewest goals of all teams in autumn (17 – 3 fewer than the next, FC Vestsjælland) and much of the explanation can be found in the absence of a quality striker. Their only decent striker, Tommy Bechmann, were struggling with injuries and only played 31% of the minutes in autumn (498 minutes out of a possible 1620). Bechmann is now fit again and with Okotie in the squad SønderjyskE have several solutions. Pre-season matches have not been impressive though. SønderjyskE have mostly lost, including a 3-0 loss to bottom rivals Viborg in the last rehearsal. They have been struggling to find the right formation and will be challenged further by the absence of experienced midfielder Daniel Jensen due to suspension.

Based on the friendlies FC Vestsjælland look more ready for action. Compared to SønderjyskE they made their winter signings very early, and this might have been vital in knitting a team together. We believe that SønderjyskE are likely to do better than in autumn, but they could face a tough start.

Recommendation: 1 – 2.30 at Unibet

Team info:

FC Vestsjælland:

Autumn:

Position: 10th

Points: 21

SoTR: 47,43% (8th)

PDO: 958

Important transfers:

In:
Peter Nymann (Djurgården)

Edward Ofere (Trelleborg)

Out:

Sladen Peric (career end)

Typical line-up in autumn:

Mikkelsen; Lumb, Bozga, Nielsen, Lund; Festersen, Madsen, Bertolt, Berg; Sørensen, Thiago

Expected line-up in spring:

Mikkelsen; Lumb, Bozga, Nielsen, Lund; Festersen, Madsen, Bertolt, Nymann; Sørensen, Ofere

SønderjyskE:

Autumn:

Position: 12th

Points: 16

SoTR: 45,03% (9th)

PDO: 1022

Important transfers:

In:
Robin Rafael Okotie (loan from Austria Wien)

Pierre Kanstrup (loan from Fredericia)

Silas Songani (FC Harare)

Out:

Florian Hart (SV Grödig)

Julian Luque Conde (end of contract)

Jacob Tjørnelund (Hobro)

Typical line-up in autumn:

Skender; Lodberg, Jonasson, Paulsen; Christensen, Guira, Hansen, Hart; Absalonsen, Bechmann, Madsen

Expected line-up in spring:

Skender; Lodberg, Jonasson, Kanstrup; Christensen, Guira, Jensen, Paulsen; Absalonsen, Okotie, Madsen