OB-FC Midtjylland

Saturday 22/02 17.00

OB (7th) have played some entertaining matches this season. With 54 goals in their 18 matches there are on average three goals per match they play. The only bad thing is that 26 goals have been conceded. Another thing that is bad for OB is that winger Emil Larsen is out injured and striker Mustafa Abdellaoue is doubtful. Larsen is one of OB’s stars and he will be absent for about 4-5 weeks. Abdellaoue finished strong this autumn and is a way better goal getter than the other strikers Morten Skoubo and Darko Bodul. In the friendlies set pieces has been a worry for coach Troels Bech: three goals were conceded in a match. All eyes are on FC Midtjylland (1st) that are out to secure their first ever league title. They have lost midfielders Olsen and Curth during the transfer window, but have signed Femi and Poulsen instead. It looks like an improvement, but neither Femi nor Poulsen have played for a long time, so do not be surprised if FC Midtjylland starts a bit rusty. Coach Glen Riddersholm should actually have a headache since many players are injured and several of them are from the starting 11. Defender and captain Kristian Bak was injured during a friendly against Spartak Moscow. Winger Pione Sisto is doubtful but will probably not play the entire match and midfielder Petter Andersson is out and will return during March. Winger Sylvester Igboun (6 goals) is suspended. Not a good starting point.

Both teams have injuries for key players. The injury list is longer at FC Midtjylland and with a difficult away match it could be a problem. But with OB’s instability at the back at set pieces something at which FC Midtjylland are strong this could turn out to be an even match.

Idea: X - 3.45 at Mermaidbet

UPDATE: Larsen in surprise call-up for OB. But he has not been a part of the last preparation matches, so we doubt he will make an impact just yet (will probably only get a few minutes).

Team info:

OB:

Autumn:

Position: 7th

Points: 22

SoTR: 48,15% (7th)

PDO: 1037

Important transfers:

In:
Azer Busuladzic (Vejle)

Out:

-

Typical line-up in autumn:

Toppel; Diarra, K. Larsen, Christensen, Ruud; E. Larsen, Skulason, Spelmann, Falk; Skoubo, Bodul

Expected line-up in spring:

Toppel; Diarra, K. Larsen, Høegh, Ruud; E. Larsen, Skulason, Spelmann, Falk; Skoubo, Abdellaoue

Note: Emil Larsen will probably miss the first 4-5 rounds with an injury. Young winger Busuladzic might be his replacement.

FC Midtjylland:

Autumn:

Position: 1st

Points: 36

SoTR: 57,63% (3rd)

PDO: 1100

Important transfers:

In:
Jakob Poulsen (Monaco)

Francis Dickoh (free transfer)

Oluwafemi Alijore (free transfer)

Out:

Danny Olsen (AGF)

Jeppe Curth (end of loan, AaB)

Typical line-up in autumn:

Lössl; Juelsgård, Banggaard, Sviatchenko, Bak Nielsen; Izunna; Igboun, Olsen, Larsen, Sisto; Rasmussen

Expected line-up in spring:

Lössl; Juelsgård, Banggaard, Sviatchenko, Bak Nielsen; Izunna; Igboun, Poulsen, Alijore, Sisto; Rasmussen