Rosenborg
Line-up
- 1A. Hansen
- 3B. Meling
- 16E. Hovland
- 4T. Reginiussen
- 2V. Hedenstad
- 8A. Konradsen
- 7M. Jensen
- 14A. Søderlund
- 15A. Trondsen
- 22G. Åsen
- 10Helland, Paal Andre
- 25M. Lundemo
- 11Y. de Lanlay
- 17D. Akintola
Subs
- 24A. Østbø
- 19G. Valsvik
- 5Denic, Djorde
- 35Ceide, Emil Konradsen
Viking FK
Line-up
- 1Austbo, Iven
- 23Vikstol, Rolf Daniel
- 3Vevatne, Viljar
- 6Hove, Runar
- 28Thorstvedt, Kristian
- 27S. Friðjónsson
- 11Tripic, Zlatko
- 19Ekeland, Jostein
- 14Danielsen, Andre
- 7Bytyqi, Zymer
- 9Torsteinbo, Fredrik
- 4T. Salte
- 8Furdal, Johnny
- 20Ibrahimaj, Yildren
Subs
- 15A. Wichne
- 30Pereira, Adrian Nilsen
- 25Sale, Usmani
Just two points and one position separate seventh-placed Rosenborg and their weekend guests Viking in eight, so we’re expecting a tight and tense ninety minutes between the pair. Both teams are in decent form heading into the match and Viking will be hoping that their hosts midweek distraction in the Champions League qualifiers is something they can take full advantage of on Saturday.
Rosenborg and Ranheim played out a five-goal thriller in the Eliteserien last time out, where the visitors took the lead three times before securing all three points. Adegbenro put Rosenborg 1-0 up in the twenty-seventh minute but an equaliser shortly before the break saw the teams go in level at the EXTRA Arena. Akintola restored Rosenborg’s lead early in the second half but when Ranheim equalised with five minutes left on the clock, it looked like the game would end all square. However, an eighty-eight-minute effort from Søderlund saw the visitors pinch all three points when perhaps a draw would have been the fairest result on the balance of play.
Viking played host to another of last seasons European qualifiers Haugesund last week but were let down by their finishing as the game ended goalless. Viking had 53% of the overall possession, more corners, and more shots than their guests, but saw thirteen of their fifteen attempts fail to hit the target and it cost the home side two points in the end.
The recent head to head record between these two sides and the form and performances of both clubs over the last few weeks suggests that both teams will not score on Saturday and that the game is likely to feature under 2.5 goals. None of the last five league meetings between these two clubs have seen both teams score, and five of the last six encounters between the pair in all competitions have produced under 2.5 goals. Rosenborg have won four of their last six matches, while Viking have won three of theirs and under 2.5 goals have been scored in three of Rosenborg’s last four and each of Viking’s last two matches. Viking have drawn their last two league games, which is why we’re backing Saturday’s game to end level with neither side getting on the scoreboard.
Jensen and øderlund joint top score for Rosenborg this season with three league goals apiece, while Thorstvedt leads the way for Viking with six Eliteserien goals. We’re confident that I won’t see both teams score on Saturday and have predicted a final scoreline of 0-0. Rosenborg are bound to be distracted by their midweek Champions League tie and Viking have drawn their last two matches, while both teams head into the game in similar form and with just two points between them all of which points to the pair cancelling each other out this weekend.