OB-FC Copenhagen

Sunday 9/3 19.00

OB (8th) did not look good in Esbjerg last Sunday (1-0). They were unable to create anything of reasonable danger. The difference between the two teams was highlighted by the corner statistic: 20-3 to Esbjerg. It was visible that OB lack some offensive fire power when Rasmus Falk is having an off-day and Emil Larsen is short of full fitness. The strikers Bodul and Skoubo are abysmal. Skoubo is at least decent at holding up the ball though; more than can be said about the circus clown Bodul. To highlight the poor quality of the strikers, here is the scoring records this season: Bodul 813 minutes and 1 goal, Skoubo 1009 minutes and 3 goals. So when you combine them in front you should average 0.3 goals per match from your front duo: not a winning combination. Coach Bech will be eager to give the only striker with goal in his boots, Mustafa Abdellaoue (774 minutes and 6 goals), a chance but he is still suffering from a minor injury and therefore only making short visits to the pitch. Another who might be away from the pitch is key midfielder Falk who is struggling with a groin injury. Without him OB look short of creativity. FC Copenhagen (3rd) shocked with a 1-5 loss in the potential championship decider against FC Midtjylland. Coach Solbakken looked to have underestimated the opponent by selecting a formation with too many offensive players. Furthermore it was visible that even though goalkeeper Wiland has received some critique recently, he is way better than alternative Busk, who made several mistakes. Wiland is doubtful for this match. FC Copenhagen will also be without their target man Cornelius (last season’s league top goal scorer) and winger Gislason is doubtful. Adding to this key midfielder Nicolai Jørgensen who returned from injury against FC Midtjylland looked far from old achievements. FC Copenhagen have some offensive struggles but we think the first priority will be to bolster the defence so a humiliation like the one on Sunday won’t be repeated.

Two teams with important offensive players absent. We believe that FC Copenhagen will try to win this match by employing a cautious approach. If OB then adds a striking duo of Bodul and Skoubo goals should not be on the radar. OB’s defence is not impressive, but 2.10 is still a strong offer for under 2.5 goals in a match like this.

Recommendation: Under 2.5 goals – 2.10 at Tipico