Thursday 14/08/2014, 19:00, Norway Cup, Odd vs Brann

Odd vs Brann Preview

Odd is by far the most in-form team of all playing in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, with five victories in the last six games and it was only natural for them to close the gap separating them from leading Molde. They are still trailing by six points and have some difficult games ahead of them, but they definitely have momentum and hope to maintain it by winning the Norway Cup match against Brann.

Odd vs Brann Odds

At Bet365

Odd 1.55, Draw 4.20, Brann 5.50

Odd vs Brann Tips

Brann is a troubled team right now, with plenty of things on their mind, but the top priority is to secure enough points to avoid relegation at the end of the regular season. So far, they seem to be on the right track, but there are enough rounds left to be played and things can easily take a turn for the worse.

July was not exactly the best month for them and August also started on the wrong foot, after they squandered a narrow lead away from home at Lillestrom. The hosts scored twice in regulation time to win the match, while Brann sank even further in the relegation area. Making a deep run in the Norwegian Cup won't help them in their quest to avoid relegation, but at least will restore their morale.

Winning on the road at Odd is not going to be easy, but if the visitors find a way to bolster their defenses, they might push the match into overtime. Odd allowed very few goals recently, but they didn't score a lot either, which is hardly a surprise, given the fact that the most effective striker can only brag about scoring three goals this season.

Johnsen is 40 years old and has scored three times so far, but midfielders rose to the challenge and Samuelson leads the pack with seven goals. The 4-4-2 starting formation used by coach Fagermo works very well overall, but it is too dependent on how well the midfielders play offensively on any given day.

Key Facts

• Brann lost three of the last five games, but each time they did it by a single goal and won the most recent match at home against Aalesund
• The head to head games also favor the visiting team, who won 15 games in 30 rounds, including five of the last seven

Odd vs Brann Prediction

Odd might expand its invincible run tonight, but there is no value in the odds offered for a home win, regardless of how well the hosts are playing. By comparison, Brann not to lose by more than one goal is priced at 1.90, which means that punters win if the visitors prevail, or draw the match. They investment is returned in case Odd wins the match by precisely one goal.

Bet: Brann +1.0 goals @ 1.90 with Bet365