Week 4 Superliga previews

Randers-Horsens

Friday 5/8 18.00

Randers are a good team, but they are looking weaker than last season. Furthermore, offensive profile Ishak is out and the same is the case for solid midfielder Poulsen. Randers have back-ups in some new players, but still a bit unsure about their level. Horsens work hard and are difficult to beat. They are still without a loss after three matches, and managed to get a draw in Brøndby after being 2-0 down.

Randers are better, but it won’t be easy for them, and in any case I don’t see them demolishing Horsens here.

Idea: 2 (AH +1) – 1.76 at Pinnacle

Silkeborg-Lyngby

Friday 5/8 20.15

Silkeborg are still without finding the net after three games, but they were more dangerous in the past match against FC Midtjylland. Unfortunately, offensive ace Robert Skov has left for the Olympics, so it is a bit to see, where the goal will come from. Lyngby were slightly lucky to get a win against SønderjyskE in last round, but they proved that they are a promoted side that can do some damage. They are surely more dangerous than Silkeborg, but perhaps not as strong defensively.

Lyngby have done well so far, but they have also been a bit lucky. Silkeborg have just not been particularly good, and without their best player it looks difficult. So based on squad situation and momentum, Lyngby deserve to be favourite, but not worth a big bet at the price.

Idea: 2 (AH +0) – 1.85 at Bet365

OB-Viborg

Saturday 6/8 16.00

OB have had three draws and they should have won at least one of those matches. They have created fairly much offensively, but also conceded a bit too many chances at the back. OB are set to be without defensive midfielder Izunna and right back Desler among the regulars, while key striker Jacobsen is very doubtful and probably misses out on the match with a back injury. I am not impressed by the alternative in Mikkelsen, but OB still have a solid striker in Festersen and winger Edmundsson is in scoring form with two goals last weekend. Viborg are usually very solid at the back. Looking at chances conceded, they have been quite solid this season too, despite conceding 7 goals in 3 matches. Offensively, Viborg have the chance to improve massively if Deble finally returns to the line-up and I expect it could be the case here. He is a dangerous striker and his speed could give OB’s quite slow central defence problems.

If Jacobsen is out for OB, I think they could have a tough time against the Viborg defence. However, should OB go ahead, I think Viborg will get in problems as they prefer playing defensively and lurk for counter-attacks. However, with OB likely to miss three starters and Viborg being in strong formation, I see the away team causing problems here.

Idea: 2 (AH +0.5) – 1.94 at SBOBet

FC Nordsjælland-AaB

Sunday 7/8 13.00

FC Nordsjælland have been humiliated in the last two games, but they have played the two strongest opponents in the league. However, the matches shows that FC Nordsjælland are weak at the back, when facing strong opponents. Things will not be easier given the absence of the two central defenders Maxsø and Gregor who is at the Olympics. FC Nordsjælland will probably line-up with a very young central defence here, so it will surely hurt them. Offensively, I still think they have something to offer and they are normally not easy to beat on own artificial grass. AaB have not been in the best state so far, but they have done decently. They have a fine squad in general, but they are just below the top of the league. They will be without central defender Blaabjerg and winger Børsting who are at the Olympics, but both of them are replaceable. However, AaB will probably not have much to bring from the bench.

FC Nordsjælland are not in the best state and without two defenders, they could face problems at the back here. However, you should never underestimate FC Nordsjælland on own pitch. I agree with the bookies regarding the current price setting, but I prefer betting on AaB as I suspect FC Nordsjælland’s line-up could surprise negatively (they have called up 23 players!).

Idea: 2 (AH -0.25) – 1.99 at Pinnacle

SønderjyskE-FC Copenhagen

Sunday 7/8 16.00

SønderjyskE have had a really heavy schedule with two games every week for several weeks. Not something the small club is used to, and the squad depth is not good. SønderjyskE will be without midweek matches in the upcoming round, but they could be forced to rest players anyway. It is certain that key defensive midfielder Drachmann is out, needing a rest, and I suspect that others might not be capable of playing 90 minutes. SønderjyskE have really suffered in the league due to the success in Europa League, and they are still winless. FC Copenhagen is another story. They are more experienced and have a magnificent squad depth, so a similar tight schedule is not the same problem for them. Yes, they could rest some players here, but the reserves are almost as good. FC Copenhagen have a 11-0 goalscore after the first three matches, which just proves their strength.

It will be very difficult for SønderjyskE to get anything out of this match. Only hope is that FC Copenhagen perhaps takes the match lightly after having been without real opposition in the past matches of the season. I won’t bet on that though. I pick FC Copenhagen here, but no recommendation as I the price is simply too low.

Idea: 2 – 1.57 at Bet365

FC Midtjylland-Brøndby

Sunday 7/8 18.00

FC Midtjylland were forced to play 120 minutes on Thursday, so it is not the best preparation for this match. However, they have been good at rotating, so I still expect to see a fit line-up here as they don’t have to rest players for midweek matches. FC Midtjylland have looked very strong in the league until now. They have some quality offensive players and look quite good at the back also. However, it is a minus that they have just sold winger Sisto as he started the season lively, but they have fairly good alternatives on the wing. Brøndby have had a great start to the season, where the midweek win against Hertha Berlin must be the biggest achievement. Brøndby play a very physical style, so it is demanding for them to play two games per week. Therefore, this could be a tough one for them, as they will have to work a lot like in the game against Hertha Berlin. Brøndby will look to continue a great offensive production with the likes of Hjulsager, Pukki and Wilczek doing particularly well.

I think FC Midtjylland are slightly stronger here, and given the home advantage, I actually think home victory could be worth a shot. Over is also a possibility. Both look fairly good offensively, and I don’t have the impression that Brøndby will arrive to defend only. So far, 5 out of 6 games for the two teams have gone over the line in this season.

Tip of the Week: 1 (AH -0.25) – 1.87 at Pinnacle

Idea: Over 2.5 goals – 1.90 at SBOBet

Esbjerg-AGF

Monday 8/8 19.00

Esbjerg have had a terrible start to the season with 3 losses a 1-10 goalscore. I think they looked a bit better against Viborg last weekend, but they just can’t do anything offensively, especially if they go behind. However, positive news is that winger Jeppe Andersen is set to return, while new-signed winger Awer Mabil is a good dribbler. Defensively, Esbjerg are not good though. Things are not made easier by central midfielder Casper Nielsen and goalkeeper Jeppe Højbjerg leaving for the Olympics. AGF suffered the first defeat of the season when losing 1-2 in an even match against Randers. I think AGF have a fairly solid team. Of course they miss the offensive quality of striker Morten Duncan Rasmussen (injured – slim chance of return here), but they have a very strong midfield, and their defence is also quite good. Negative thing for this match is the absence of strong defensive midfielder Jens Jönsson who is at the Olympics, but AGF have a fairly good depth at midfield.

Esbjerg are not playing with confidence at the moment, they lack creativity in the midfield and they are without two regulars. I have AGF as clear favourites here. They should dominate the match through their superior midfield. However, with both teams not being spectacular offensively, I like to cover the draw completely.

Recommendation: 2 (AH -0) – 1.74 at Pinnacle