OB-AaB

Saturday 2/8 17.00

OB (12th) have been horrendous so far. First they lost 1-2 at home to underdogs Hobro, then they were smashed 3-1 at FC Vestsjælland (scoreline was nice to OB). OB have lost some important and very experienced players during the break and the replacements have not exactly been impressive. The squad moral appears very low with players complaining in public. During the past week two rotation players have left the club by own demand (contract terminated!). To make matters worse OB are suffering from several injuries in the back, where normal right back Kryger and central defender Høegh are injured. These injuries could force OB to use an inexperienced 18 year old in the central defence (Emil Peter Jørgensen). Offensively OB will have to rely on wingers Emil Larsen and Rasmus Falk, but both have seemed very affected by the clubs poor state. AaB (2nd) impressed last weekend beating FC Midtjylland (2-0) despite injuries for several key players. The effect of all the injuries was however visible in the midweek home loss to Dinamo Zagreb (0-1) were especially the midfield was unconvincing. This is not surprising since AaB are struggling with injuries for Thomsen, Risgård and Würtz, all starters in last season’s championship team. Furthermore, left back Ahlmann is probably out for the match, with AaB being forced to use 19 year old Blåbjerg instead (did fine against Zagreb though). AaB might have Thomsen and Würtz back for this match although they will not be at their best. There is also the possibility that head coach Kent Nielsen will rest players ahead of the second leg against Zagreb.

OB are in a miserable state, troubled by injuries and poor moral. AaB are also bothered by injuries and have focus on Champions League qualifying. It makes this match very difficult to predict. Especially since it is very hard to tell how AaB will line-up at the moment. Therefore we would urge you to follow our updates on Twitter. If you do not have the patience, we would currently prefer betting on Both teams to score (BTTS): no, since none of the teams have looked frightening offensively so far.

Idea: BTTS no – 2.25 at Bet365

UPDATE: OB look to start in 3-4-3 (normally play 4-4-2). It is surely the formation where they can field the most good players in their right positions, but the system is probably not working perfectly from the start. AaB look to rest starters Kenneth Emil Petersen (central defender) and striker Anders K. Jacobsen, and youngster Kasper Pedersen and the rusty striker Nicklas Helenius will play instead. AaB with a very young team and some players that lacks match practice against a OB team in crisis is difficult to predict. Therefore no new recommendations here, but maybe latter on Twitter when line-ups are published.