The 2017 Eliteserien season is into round 18 and as expected, Rosenborg are leading the way with 38 points from their 18 games played. On Monday night, Stromgodset welcome Valerenga to the Marienlyst Stadion as the hosts aim to move away from the relegation places.
You must only go back to 2013 to find the last time Stromgodset won the Eliteserien and in 2015 they finished runners-up. This season has been a struggle in comparison to those two and they are just 1 point clear of the relegation playoff place.
Valerenga have won the Eliteserien 5 times, with the last coming back in 2005. They were runners-up in 2010 but need to start winning games if they are to move into the Europa League qualifying places.
Stromgodset Form
Stromgodset have lost only 1 of their last 5 Eliteserien games but winning games has become a real problem this season.
In their last 5 matches, there has been only 1 win, with 3 draws and that means it is now just 2 wins from their last 12 Eliteserien games. With a record like that, it is easy to see why they are so close to the bottom of the table.
However, Stromgodset have been tough to beat at home and have lost just 1 match at the Marienlyst Stadion in the Eliteserien this season. They have picked up 5 wins and 3 draws but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 5 home league games.
Valerenga Form
Valerenga took a break from domestic football last weekend and played a friendly match against Manchester United. They lost the game 3-0 so it will not have done much for their confidence ahead of this match.
Valerenga come into this game with a good unbeaten run to defend, having won 2 and drawn 4 of their last 6 Eliteserien games. However, they have drawn 3 of the last 4 and will want to get back to winning ways this week.
Having struggled away from home at the start of the campaign, Valerenga are unbeaten in their last 3 and have lost just 1 of their last 5 on the road. Recently there have been draws at Kristiansund and Brann.
Team News
Stromgodset have a full squad of players to choose from for this match and are expected to line-up in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Marcus Pederson will lead the line with support from Bassel Jradi.
Rasmus Lindkvist has left Valerenga and will be replaced in the team at left-back by Simen Juklerod. They have added goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey to the squad and he is expected to go straight into the team for this game.
Top Betting Tips
Given the form of both teams, both home and away in the Eliteserien this season, the safest bet appears to be the draw. The draw is on offer at 12/5 with William Hill.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Valerenga’s last 10 league games and in the previous 3 meetings between the teams. Under 2.5 goals is 11/10 at Ladbrokes.
If there is one man capable of breaking the deadlock in this game it is Eirik Ulland Andersen. The Stromgodset midfielder has netted 5 goals in his last 9 league games and can be backed at 6/1 with Ladbrokes to score the first goal.