Sunday 26/07/2014, 18:00, Norway Tippeligaen, Round 17, Molde vs Rosenborg
Molde vs Rosenborg Preview
This is by far the most interesting game of the week in the Norwegian championship, with the leaders facing the hottest team. In 2014, Molde lost a single match including friendly games which is remarkable to say the least, but they know that Rosenborg will give them a run for their money. The visitors are the most in-form team in the Tippeligaen, with four victories and two draws in the last six games and a high average of goals scored.
Molde vs Rosenborg Odds
At Bet365
Molde 1.60, Draw 4.00, Rosenborg 5.70
Molde vs Rosenborg Tips
Rosenborg played a couple of games more than their opponents, including two Europa League qualifiers, but the only thing that matters is the outcome. After losing the first leg against Sligo Rovers from Ireland, the Norwegians rebounded and scored three times on the road to qualify to the next stage.
It is a formidable performance for a team that used to play in the Champions League and they now have the morale to take on Molde. One of the explanations for Rosenborg's recent surge can be found in its offensive department and the fact that coach Ingebrigtsen doesn't hesitate to use three strikers in each match. Even though he faces the toughest team in the Tippeligaen, Riski, Soderlund and Mikkelsen are all expected to feature tonight, as the visitors will be aiming for all three points.
It goes without saying that defeating a team as resilient as Molde, especially when it has home pitch advantage is not going to be easy. The hosts were also involved in a pair of European games but unlike their opponents, they solved the issue of qualification in the first leg.
Tonight they will be first and foremost trying to avoid defeat, because even a draw against Rosenborg would consolidate their position at the top. This doesn't mean that the hosts will be using a defensive starting formation, with Gulbrandsen and Elyounoussi still expected to pair upfront.
Key Facts
- The last time Rosenborg was held scoreless happened in early May against Molde and in between they scored an average of three goals per match.
- Rosenborg has won 13 games at Molde out of 21, but lost the last four matches.
Molde vs Rosenborg Prediction
Molde is credited with the first chance by bookmakers, but once again they are heavily underpriced, which means that there is no value in backing them. By contrast, those who credit Rosenborg with the chance to win and take the cover of a 1:0 Asian Handicap will enjoy odds of 1.85 at Bet365. What makes this sort of bet great is that even if the hosts win by a narrow margin, the wagers are reimbursed.
Bet: Rosenborg 1:0 Asian Handicap @ 1.85 with Bet365
