Viborg-Randers

Sunday 23/2 14.00

Viborg (9th) were our favourite villains in autumn. They netted a Shots on Target Ratio of only 37%, which were by far the lowest. Only an impressive efficiency (mainly from league top scorer Dalgaard) has kept them alive. Maybe Viborg have followed our posts since they have made several signings during the winter break despite of a scanty economy. They have signed two Swedes, Fagerberg and Stoor, but none of them look fully fit for action just yet. One that does is new-signing Boysen, who have been a force on the wing during friendlies. On the bench there has also been a change. Club legend Ove Christensen was forced to resign due to a serious knee injury and Auri Skarbalius has taken over. Skarbalius was the guy who put Brøndby into a lot trouble last season, but managed to save them at the end. Skarbalius did not leave the best impression in Brøndby, so we are eager to see what he can do in another atmosphere in Viborg. So far performances have been decent, finishing with a 3-0 smashing of rivals SønderjyskE in the final rehearsal. Viborg will be without strong central defender Ogunbiyi. Randers (5th) are despite of a fine rank in the league closer to relegation (4 points) than medals (7 points). They have been surprisingly quiet in the transfer market only signing creative midfielder Fisker from 1st Division leaders Hobro. That signing will come in handy since normal right-winger Kamper is struggling with an injury. Randers will also be without two key players, their top scorer Schwartz (9 goals – 38% of team goals) and strong left back Tamboura. Lundberg and Fischer will act as stand-ins but are not of the same calibre. Surprisingly Randers coach Todd seems to have ditched normal strong central defender Fenger for the veteran Sørensen. Sørensens level is not even close to the top level of Fenger so we are fairly surprised. Randers have looked fine in friendlies. They did however concede two easy goals despite dominating against FC Midtjylland last weekend (2-2).

Viborg looks stronger offensively with the addition of Boysen and you should keep in mind that Viborg is actually a decent home team (home SoTR: 44% - same as Randers away SoTR). For us this is also a fairly even match that could go either way. But we suspect that goals will arrive. Viborg have played over 2.5 goals in 7 out of 8 home matches in 2013. With Randers’ backline a bit weakened Viborg should be able to find the net. Furthermore the match-up between Randers front-line and Viborg’s defence also look like something that could end in goals.

Recommendation: Over 2.5 goals – 2.08 at Betfair

Ideas: 1 – 2.92 at Betfair

Team info:

Viborg:

Autumn:

Position: 9th

Points: 21

SoTR: 37,31% (12th)

PDO: 1108

Important transfers:

In:
Emilijus Zubas (loan from Daugava Riga)

David Boysen (Lyngby)

Ken Fagerberg (Horsens)

Fredrik Stoor (Lillestrøm)

Out:

Sebastian Andersen (loan to Hobro)

Jeppe Grønning (loan to Hobro)

Typical line-up in autumn:

Peskovic; Poulsen, Rask, Ogunbiyi, Thorsen; Nagel, Gotfredsen, Rømer, Jensen; Stankov; Dalgaard

Expected line-up in spring:

Peskovic; Poulsen, Rask, Ogunbiyi, Pallesen; K. Mensah, Lerager, Rømer, Boysen; Stankov; Dalgaard

Randers FC:

Autumn:

Position: 5th

Points: 23

SoTR: 45,03% (9th)

PDO: 1022

Important transfers:

In:
Kasper Fisker (Hobro)

Out:

-

Typical line-up in autumn:

Andersen; Tamboura, Fenger, Agesen, Thomsen; Borring, Keller, Bjarnason, Kamper; Brock, Schwartz

Expected line-up in spring:

Jensen; Tamboura, Fenger, Agesen, Thomsen; Borring, Keller, Bjarnason, Kamper; Brock, Schwartz

Note: Schwartz is out for the first 4-5 rounds with an injury. Replacement will probably be Lundberg.