Eliteserien, day 16 corresponds to the first day back: not an impossible task for the leader Bodo Glimt.
In the Eliteserien, it is still the ambitious Bodo/Glimt who have a comfortable nine-point lead over their main pursuer Viking at the halfway mark.
Kjetil Knudsen’s yellow-and-whites won 12 of their 15 matches in the first half of the season and barely conceded a goal. The number of goals scored only confirms the superiority of Saltnes and his teammates, whose scoring average is over two goals per game. Bodo therefore seems to have the championship in its grasp, despite the fact that there is still a whole round of games to go. And if the goal was to put to rest as soon as possible the disappointing second place of last season, in which Knudsen and his men finished 18 points behind Molde, then it has been achieved in a big way. After the draw a fortnight ago against Molde, the yellow-and-whites have started to win again: In the last two rounds they have beaten Odd and Haugesund, meanwhile also advancing in the national cup thanks to the success against HamKam. Another win is on the way against third-last-placed Sandefjord, who have conceded a total of ten goals in the last three days. Bodo should do well against a defence that has been anything but solid in the last period.
Eliteserien, predictions for other matches
Waiting for a possible Bodo misstep that could reopen the championship, there are also Tromso and Brann, ready to clash in an interesting high ranking challenge.
Tromso players celebrate after a goal
Two teams who are currently tied on 27 points and who could vie for second and third place with Viking, Molde and Lillestrom in the return leg. Tromso must make up for last week’s defeat at home to Rosenborg, but Brann is also a tough customer on the road. We could see a lively match in which both are likely to score. Lillestrom, on the other hand, could benefit from a draw, as they go in search of a fourth consecutive victory at Haugesund. With regard to the other matches, Odd raised their heads on the last day by winning 3-0 at home to Aalesund and look likely to avoid defeat against Valerenga as well. Rosenborg, on the other hand, are unlikely to make a full recovery against Stromsgodset.
Eliteserien, possible winners
- Lillestrom (in Haugesund-Lillestrom, 5 p.m.)
- Odd or draw (in Odd-Valerenga, 5pm)
- Stromsgodset or draw (in Stromsgodset-Rosenborg, 19:15)
Matches with at least one goal each
- HamKam-Stabaek, 5pm
- Haugesund-Lillestrom, 5pm
