Esbjerg-SønderjyskE preview

Sunday 9/8 13.30

Esbjerg (11th) are thinking “not again”. They expected more from this season with the big signing of striker Nicki Bille. However, you could argue whether this was necessary for the team who were second on the goalscoring list last season. They had major problems defensively, but they have not done anything to improve this. After three matches, that looks to be a big mistake. Esbjerg have conceded goals mainly on defensive errors and set pieces. The defence is shockingly poor. The situation has not improved by selling strong left back Jonas Knudsen to Ipswich, while his back-up Leon Jessen is injured (very doubtful for the match). Right back Ryan Johnson Laursen is also injured, and Esbjerg have no direct replacement. The end result is likely to be Esbjerg fielding four (rather poor) central defenders in the starting line-up. In attack, they are strong with in-form Mohammed Fellah and Mick van Buren and they will surely be able to create some chances. SønderjyskE (8th) have received a lot of credit for their start to the season, where they won easily at FC Nordsjælland and put up good fights against FC Midtjylland and FC Copenhagen. They have a solid defence that is not giving away a lot of chances and they play with a lot of energy. They are a counter-attacking team and seem to prefer playing away from home (only won 2 home games last season). However, in our opinion they lack some offensive speed for really excelling in the counter-attacking approach. Striker Thomas Dalgaard is not very quick, but he is a great finisher. Look out for in-form midfielders Johan Absalonsen and Bjørn Paulsen.

This is likely to be a quite entertaining rival match due to the poor defence and strong attack of Esbjerg. This is a match really suited for SønderjyskE and they proved last season that they are problematic for Esbjerg (not losing any of the 3 H2H’s). SønderjyskE lack some speed in attack, but due to the poor defence of Esbjerg, Dalgaard should get his chances and this he is usually very efficient. Odds have already decreased, but we only expect it to go further down.

Tip of the Week: 2 – 3.70 at Tipico

UPDATE: Head coach Niels Frederiksen are set to make several changes to EfB's line-up. We don't like them! He is set to bench top goalscorer (and in-form) Mick van Buren, letting Robin Söder start instead. However, Söder has been playing without confidence for his entire period in Esbjerg, so this seems rather stupid. On the backs, new signing Leon Jessen is set to start on the left back despite of being injured for the last couple of weeks and not playing much in the past season. On the right back, winger Emil Lyng will be tried out of position. The only sensible decision, seems to be using the talented offensive player Mikkel Vestergaard on the left wing instead of Lyng. 3.40 is the price for SønderjyskE currently. That should still be value.