SønderjyskE-AaB

Saturday 19/7 17.00

SønderjyskE made a brilliant comeback last season after being well underneath the relegation line at the winter break. A lot of the success of SønderjyskE in the spring can be credited to the offensive duo of Rubin Okotie (11 goals in 15 matches) and Tommy Bechmann. SønderjyskE have been unable to keep Okotie who has signed with 1860 Münich, while Tommy Bechmann will be absent for the first games due to an injury. SønderjyskE have just signed Bosnian attacker Bojan Golubovic, a 30-year old attacker who have scored a lot of goals in the Romanian league. It will be interesting to see if he can do so in the Danish league, but in any case he will probably need some time to adapt. Therefore SønderjyskE look very limited offensively, where midfielders Nikolaj Madsen and Silas Songani have been given a chance in the front line in recent friendlies. Defensively, SønderjyskE have lost Daniel Christensen, but replaced him with Erik Marxen, which looks like a decent swap. In total, SønderjyskE look solid at the back, but not very dangerous offensively. AaB took the double last season. The club has limited financial strength why an exodus was feared. However, of the important players, only winger Kasper Kusk and striker Rasmus Jönsson have left. To cover for Kusk, AaB have signed winger Thomas Enevoldsen. To cover for Jönsson, AaB have signed striker Nicklas Helenius who was the team’s top goalscorer (with 16 goals) two years ago. Both players are strong players, but they do lack match fitness. AaB are struggling with a few injuries. Right back Henrik Dalsgaard is still injured, while strong midfielder Nikolaj Thomsen is new to the injury list. Captain and central midfielder Rasmus Würtz is doubtful for the match. With AaB without Kusk and Thomsen, AaB look short of creativity for the first match.

A match between two teams whom look weaker than before the break. With the current squad situation, both are strongest at the back, why a match with few goals could be the end result. AaB should be favourites, but with the uncertainties surrounding the current level of the new signings, we skip betting on 1X2.

UPDATE: Würtz is confirmed out, the same with SønderjyskE's central midfielder Daniel Jensen. A problem for both teams - guess it evens out.

Idea: Under 2.5 goals – 2.08 at Betfair