4. Lillestrom (5) v Rosenborg (1)
Rosenborg keep marching on

 

TEAM NEWS

 

Lillestrom have few worries. Perhaps only Pal Steffen Andresen is uncertain with his fitness, and might miss the game.


Rosenborg midfielder Abdou Traore has been ill and will face a late fitness test.

 

Fellow midfielder and hot prospect Anthony Annan will also face a race against time, as his Ghana went out of the World Cup.

 

Lillestrom
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Andresen (match fitness)
Injured/unavailable: None 

 

Rosenborg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Strand (infection), Traore (virus), Annan (World Cup)
Injured/unavailable: Bakenga (knee)

 

MATCH PREVIEW

 

Lillestrom looked very solid during the first half of the match against arch rivals Valerenga on Sunday. The score was 0-0 at half time, but Lillestrom should have taken the lead on occasions.

 

But during only four minutes of the second half (57th-61st minute), Lillestrom goalie Magnusson had to surrender three times, and the match was lost 1-4 in the end. That ended their 13-game undefeated run.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Lillestrom back four when you look at their names, but at the moment they for some reason seem unable to communicate and cooperate.

 

Rosenborg took a very much expected victory when rock bottom side Sandefjord visited Lerkendal last round. The score was only 1-0, but the fact that Sandefjord goalkeeper Bugge Pettersen was man of the match, says something about how the game went.


They met again in the Norwegian Cup midweek, and Rosenborg prevailed once again in a 4-1, and advanced into the top 8.


When Rosenborg won the Norwegian league year after year during the nineties, Lillestrom were often the closest challengers. The rivalry is still important to the fans and Aarasen Stadium will be sold out.

 

Rosenborg are still undefeated in the league, and conceded only once in the last four rounds.

 

Too bad for the home fans that Rosenborg are way better than Lillestrom under normal circumstances.

 

HEAD TO HEAD

 

From 1960-2010 Rosenborg are ahead with 34 wins. Lillestrom have 20, and also 20 matches were drawn. The match RosenborgLillestrom in April ended 0-0.