FC Nordsjælland-FC Vestsjælland

Friday 18/7 18.30

FC Nordsjælland have looked rather unambitious during the transfer window. They have not signed a single player for the new season, which leave them vulnerable after the exit of some key players. The two most important exits are the central midfielder (captain and club legend) Nicolai Stokholm and the energetic right back Jens Stryger (left for Austria Vienna). They have also lost their coach, the talented Kasper Hjulmand, who signed for Mainz. New coach is the Icelandic Olafur Kristjansson, who have done well as coach in the Icelandic league. Kristjansson is expected to continue the typical style of play in Nordsjælland (preferring ball possession). FC Nordsjælland look to benefit from the return of full fitness for winger Uffe Bech, who could get his breakthrough season. On top, Kristjansson looks to give the young Kristian Lindberg the chance (in front of veterans Nordstrand and Aabech). Lindberg has been doing well in the friendlies, but he has still yet to impress in official matches. In total FC Nordsjælland are a decent team, but they do lack some squad depth. FC Vestsjælland are entering the second season in the best Danish football league. They will do that without the coach who got them promoted and avoided the relegation in the first season. Veteran coach Ove Pedersen disagreed with the board and decided to leave the job. New coach is the young Michael Hansen, who was the assistant under Pedersen. In opposition to Pedersen, Hansen is known for a more offensive minded approach to football. Therefore we should expect to see a FC Vestsjælland team trying to do other things than just demolish the opponent’s play and solely attack on set pieces (scored 19 out of 31 goals last season on set pieces). Coach Hansen will still use the 3-5-2 formation, but focus more on being goal seeking when having the ball. The question is whether they have the skills for this change of approach. FC Vestsjælland have signed some experienced players in winger Anders Due (former AaB) and defender Anders Østli (former Lillestrøm). The have lost some important players too though: central midfielder Morten Bertolt and central defender Lasse Nielsen, players who played a pivotal part in the survival last season. In total, FC Vestsjælland look to be at the same level as last year and they will probably have to fight for survival until the end of the season. Key left wingback Michael Lumb is absent with an injury.

In the three H2H’s last season FC Nordsjælland were unable to beat the physical FC Vestsjælland team (two losses and one draw). This could easily be the problem once again. However, the return of Uffe Bech on the right wing could easily be a problem for FC Vestsjælland without Michael Lumb. If FC Vestsjælland contain Bech, FC Nordsjælland could have a hard time scoring. With FC Nordsjælland mainly limited to dangers created by Uffe Bech and FC Vestsjælland mainly being able to attack on set pieces, we pick the Under 2.5 goal bet as the best solution for the match.

Idea: Under 2.5 goals – 1.90 at Bet365