Sunday 20/07/2014, 19:00, Norway Tippeligaen, Round 16, Viking vs Lillestrom

Viking vs Lillestrom Preview

There are many similarities between Viking and Lillestrom, with both teams enjoying a good run in May, while failing to win points in the first two weeks of July. With one draw and one defeat over the span, they got stuck at 22 points and now they are tied for the seventh place. On the bright side, the team that wins tonight can hope to overtake Valerenga, who plays a difficult match on the road at runners-up Stromsgodset.

Viking vs Lillestrom Odds

At Bet365

Viking 1.75, Draw 4.00, Lillestrom 4.35

Viking vs Lillestrom Tips

Lillestrom blew hot and cold this season, putting together impressive winning streaks, only to sink into near irrelevance a few weeks later. The domestic championship started slow but the team rebounded in May and was at one point just a couple of positions behind the leader. Their top concern is the fact that they don't have quality strikers, capable of posing real problems to defensive minded teams.

On the bright side, they have very little to worry about Viking, a team that was held scoreless on consecutive occasions, by mediocre opponents. It all began with the shocking defeat at home to Brann, followed by a scoreless draw away at Sogndal. Apparently, Viking was still dwelling on the two previous victories, both of them by 4-1 and failed to make any adjustments in the starting formation.

Their biggest problem is that even if they choose to shift into a more aggressive gear, they don't have the players to do it, as Bodvarsson is the only reliable forward. He has scored five goals in 15 games and he will spearhead the offensive, with the youngster Berisha probably joining him.

Lillestrom can definitely feel their pain, as they also have a single player capable of scoring goals and need to put their hopes in him once again. Fofana will need all the support he can get and luckily for him, the visitors have some of the best midfielders in Tippeligaen. They have scored a combined 13 goals this season and except for Andersson all those who played at least a match, have added their names on the goal scorers sheet.

Key Facts

• Lillestrom has a slight advantage in head to head games, after winning 18 of 42 matches, including 6 on the road.
• Viking won just once in the last eight Tippeligaen games and drew half of those fixtures.

Viking vs Lillestrom Prediction

Home pitch advantage is not enough to revive Viking and odds of 1.75 for them to win against a stringy opponents such as Lillestrom are not good enough. Punters would be better off doing the exact opposite and backing the visitors to win or draw at odds of 2.10 with Bet365.

Bet: Lillestrom or Draw @ 2.10 with Bet365