AaB-Esbjerg preview

Monday 20/7 19.00

AaB have had a rather quiet summer window apart from a change of head coach. It will be interesting to see how new head coach Lars Søndergaard (former SønderjyskE) fills the shoes of the departing Kent Nielsen who were the head coach when AaB took the title in 2014. AaB have not made any important new signings, while the sale of central defender Rasmus Thelander to Panathinaikos is the only important departure. Thelander was injured for most of the spring, so it is not a critical departure. However, his likely replacement Kasper Pedersen is doubtful, but other alternative Jakob Blåbjerg has done fine when given the chance. AaB have a solid team with many experienced and loyal players. Esbjerg have made a few changes after a largely disappointing season. Swedish duo of Erik Friberg and Daniel Larsson have left, while charismatic striker Nicki Bille Nielsen (from Evian) and left back Leon Jessen (from Kaiserslautern) have arrived. Nielsen is set to fill the gap of Martin Pusic who left for FC Midtjylland last winter, while Jessen is set to start as a back-up until Esbjerg offloads Jonas Knudsen. Esbjerg struggled a lot at the back last season, and without any changes, the same is likely to happen again. It is not made easier by central defender Michael Almebäck and right back Ryan Johnson Laursen both being doubtful.

AaB have looked quite strong in the pre-season friendlies and they are traditionally a strong home team. Esbjerg will probably need some time to centre their attack around Bille. There is not much value, but we would pick the home side here.

Idea: 1 (AH -0.25) – 1.875 at Bet365

UPDATE: Doubtful players, Almebäck and Laursen, back in squad for Esbjerg, while AaB will be without Kasper Pedersen and left back Patrick Kristensen. Probably necessary to use Finnish defender Jukka Raitala in the line-up despite of just having signed him during the week. This latest squad news is definitely in favor of Esbjerg, and can explain the slight odds rise for an AaB win.