AaB-OB preview

Friday 15/5 18.30

AaB (5th) need to win this one if they want to play continental football from the winter break. They are 5 points after Randers in the hunt for the decisive 4th place. AaB will find some optimism in their play in the recent matches. They have looked livelier offensively, and the midfield has showed some of qualities that made AaB an outstanding team last season. In the last match, the absence of midfielder Risgaard was visible, but the veteran midfielder should return here. In that case AaB will field the strongest offensive team. Defensively, they have some problems since the two normal starters in the central defence, Kenneth Emil Petersen and Rasmus Thelander, are both out. The replacements are the two rather young players, Jakob Blåbjerg and Kasper Pedersen. Individually, they have done very well, but they might struggle without a senior player at their side to dictate the defence. OB (8th) are perhaps the only team in the league without anything specific to play for. They have a good distance to the relegation line and 4th place also seems to far away. Instead, the players should be motivated to make a good effort against AaB head coach Kent Nielsen, since he will be the new OB head coach from July. OB played a very good game against FC Midtjylland last weekend, where they were very efficient on set pieces. Compared to the last match, they will be without the strong central midfielder Hallgrimur Jonasson who is banned. He is likely to be replaced by a youngster, either Matias Greve or Jens Jakob Thomasen. Both are very talented players, but also young and unproven. More importantly OB risk being without offensive star player Rasmus Falk, who got a knock in the last match. He is expected to play but on painkillers. Right back Håkon Skogseid should return after missing the last match with an injury, but he is not the most important regular.

AaB are a strong team when the midfield is playing at its best. With Risgaard back the chance of that occurring surely increases. OB have nothing specific to play for and we suspect they might be complacent after the win over FC Midtjylland. The most of AaB’s home wins are by two goals or more, while the most of OB’s away losses are by two goals or more. We feel it is worth taking a chance and gamble on a big AaB win here. They won’t stop attacking if they get the 1-0 advantage.

Recommendation: 1 (0-1) – 3.30 at Tipico