8.Odd Grenland (8) v Valerenga (3)

Another three points for Valerenga

TEAM NEWS

Odd Grenland’s John Anders Bjorkoy is a long time injury.

Important midfielder Simen Brenne received his third yellow card last match and will sit out suspended.

Valerenga only miss defender Birger Madsen, who is recovering from a hip surgery.

Odd Grenland
Suspended: Brenne (1 match)
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Bjorkoy (head)

Valerenga
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Madsen (hip)

MATCH PREVIEW

Odd Grenland were on a good run before the vacation with a 6-game undefeated run, but lost deservedly to Viking 1-3 last round. There is nothing extraordinary about this team, but they work hard and play their football in a simple and efficient way.

They trashed Honefoss in a 5-1 in the Norwegian Cup midweek, and advanced into the final eight.

Valerenga made an early exit from the Norwegian cup and did not play any mid week fixture. Coach Martin Andresen obviously used the summer break wisely, as his team last Sunday took a stunning 4-1 victory in the clash with local rivals Lillestrom.

The match was decided by three Valerenga goals from the 57^th to the 61^st minute. None of the teams could find the net before half time, and Lillestrom actually went very close on a few occasions.

Valerenga are 4W-1L in the latest five games, hitting into the net a total of 15. That tells us something about their firepower.

These teams probably belong where they stand at the moment. Odd Grenland as rather mediocre, and Valerenga as one of the teams trying to hang on to league leaders Rosenborg.

Looks like another away win.

HEAD TO HEAD

Valerenga have the upper hand in a historical view. Since 1951 they are in front with 22W-10D-9L. In modern times the clubs are more equally matched, but Valerenga won 6-1 and played their best match of the season in the reverse meeting two and a half months ago.