2010:6/8 favorites won and 5/6 won by at least two goals margin, Start (1.90), Aalesund (2.45), Rosenborg (2.50), Tromsö (1.75), Strömsgodset (1.75), Vålerenga (2.35). Brann - Haugesund draw (3.75), Stabaek dog winner (2.60). 5/8 games went under 2.5 goals.
2009:4/8 games ended with a draw, Molde (2.90) and Sandefjord (2.90) were dog winners, Viking (1.75) and Rosenborg (1.80) favorites that won. 4/8 games went over 2.5 goals.3/4 winners won by more then one goal, those three teams (Rosenborg, Viking, Sandefjord) all played at home.
2008: 5/7 games won by favorites, 5/7 games went under 2.5 goals, 2/5 winners won by more the one goal, no away victories, only Bodö/Glimt (2.40) won at odds better then 1.73.
2007: 3 dog winners (Tromsö 2.83, Start 2.92, Brann 2.98), 3 favorite winners (Lilleström 1.67, Lyn 1.93, Strömsgodset 2.26, all home teams) and one draw Viking - Rosenborg (3.50). 3/6 winner won by at leat two goals margin. 4/7 games went over 2.5 goals.
These teams have met 28 times, Molde have performed best going 14-8-6 and 5-5-4 at home
Strömsgodset have not won in Molde since october 18th 1998 when they won 3-1
Molde have not lost at home since may 8th against Rosenborg, thats 12 games without defeat
Strömsgodset have not won away in its last 13 tries, last win came on april 25th against Viking
Molde have failed to win their last two opening games
Strömsgodset have managed to win their opening game in 2011 and 2010 as well as getting the draw 2009
Molde is in a better position to start off well this year then the two previous years when they failed to win. Last year Ole Gunnar Solkjaer was appointed new manager, the team created lots of chances but could not convert in the beginning. In 2010 they met Rosenborg which that season were a few classes better then Molde. For this season Molde haven´t changed much, some more depth has been added to the defense so we can expect them to battle for another top spot this year. Topscorer Diouf left for FC Copenhagen and the question is if Angan can become more effective this year. He creates much but haven´t converted as much as he could.
Strömsgodset is a typical Norwegian team who are mainly strong at home. Last season they only won one away game going 1-6-8. During the offseason they´ve lost three role players in Nordkvelle, Andersen and Abu. To fill the void some young players have come in together with 198 cm/ 6ft 6in striker Peter Kovacs from Lierse in Belgium. He has Tippeliga experience from before and can become a very important piece this year with his size, ability to hold the ball and score/defend on freekicks, corners and crosses.
In the preseason frendlies Molde went 8-1-4 while godset collected a record of 4-2-6. However, these results plays a lesser role because competitive matches is a whole different story. Strömsgodset has been plaugued by injuries during the offseason which means it will take a while before we see them on top of their ability.
I will begin the season cowardly and play Strömsgodset to score @ 1.50 but also godset with Asian Handicap +1 @ 1.75. Molde are too big favorites in an opening game when we dont really know where the teams stand. Godset got talent but not a good track record away from home, still I like them to keep it tight.
Close game. Second half was much more eventful and Molde won well-deserved even tho they almost blew it at the end when godset almost scored the equalizer.
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