Silkeborg-Esbjerg

Saturday 21/2 17.00
Silkeborg (12th) scored eight goals in 17 matches and earned only four points in autumn (no wins!). They have not made important squad changes other than allowing some rotation players to leave. One thing is changed however, and that is the head coach. New head coach is Kim Poulsen who is an experienced guy, but without remarkable results in the Superliga. He has changed the formation to a 4-4-2 and will hope that this can stabilize the defence. Offensively Silkeborg created many chances in autumn, but were just terrible at executing (PDO: 825!). Silkeborg have delivered some disappointing results in the pre-season friendlies, but the last one yielded a 3-0 win against Metalurg Donetsk and Silkeborg will undoubtedly use this win as mental fuel for the upcoming matches. Silkeborg will be without regular defender Jens Martin Gammelby who is suspended. Esbjerg (8th) had a disappointing spring according to their squad quality. However, it is not the same Esbjerg team that arrives to the first match of this season. Gone are two key players, winger Jakob Ankersen (five goals) and league top goalscorer Martin Pusic (nine goals), and not to forget fan favourite defender Eddi Gomes. Esbjerg have signed winger Kevin Mensah in Viborg, central midfielder Erik Friberg in Bologna, striker Daniel Larsson in Granada and Michael Almebäck in Brøndby. All fine players that should be able to play a major part of Esbjerg’s spring, but nevertheless it will be a huge challenge the fill out the vacuum that Ankersen and Pusic left. Esbjerg will probably need a few matches to get the offensive part of their game to work, now that their two most productive players are gone. Strong central midfielder Magnus Lekven is suspended for this match.

Esbjerg are clear favourites here, which is fair given Silkeborg’s horrid autumn and lack of winter improvements. Esbjerg do however need matches to get their new team to work, and they could have a difficult time creating chances against Silkeborg. An under bet is obvious, while a more risky bet on a draw is also interesting.

Recommendation: Under 2.5 goals – 1.90 at Nordicbet
Idea: X – Danske Spil at 3.70