Esbjerg-Brøndby

Sunday 16/3 19.00

Two of the spring’s best teams are facing off in this thriller. Esbjerg (5th) have climbed after starting the spring beneath the relegation line. The defence has improved dramatically where the saving percentage has steadily increased from 64% to 66%. Another place they have improved are at the other end of the pitch. The passing game has a different flow, which was evident this weekend at Viborg. Striker Mushaga Bakenga had about three clear-cut chances and one of them resulted in a goal. With his partner in crime up front Martin Pusic everything is at another level. They seem to compliment each other well and with two goals in three matches Bakenga is thriving at the front with Pusic. Brøndby (4th) have won their last two matches and have only lost one in their last 14. An impressive stat for a team that just only avoided relegation last season. The turmoil that was going on in the boardroom has settled and that might have calmed the morale of the squad. Especially the morale has changed and there is this new aura around Brøndby. Even though things are different there still are some concerns for the fans. Brøndby have looked strong in their two home games of 2014 but in the away game against Randers they played awful. Especially the central defence without regulars Boulahrouz and Albrechtsen was not convincing. Boulahrouz and Albrechtsen are likely to be out here as well.

With no suspensions and a few injuries for Brøndby (Boulahrouz and Albrechtsen), both team are all set. This will be an interesting and intense match. We believe that the problems in Brøndby’s defence combined with the new and improved offence of Esbjerg will be decisive. 

Recommendation: 1 - 2.65 at Mermaidbet