Odds BK have seen their Eliteserien title charge slow down over the last two weeks. Can they revive their title hopes against Stabaek on Wednesday night?
The Oddrane have collected just one point from their last four possible. They must pick up all three points to give them hope of overcoming first place Molde. Odds BK have two matches in hand and sit just four points behind the league leaders.
If they can defeat 13th place Stabaek, Odds BK will be in a great position to win the Norwegian top flight since 1957.
Although Stabaek are near the bottom of the table, they are an improving team. Da Blaa are undefeated in their last three Eliteserien matches with two of those fixtures ending in victory. Stabaek outscored their opponents 3-0 during their three-match unbeaten streak.
Most impressively from Stabaek has been their recent defensive play. Da Blaa kept a trio of clean sheets. Despite Stabaek’s lowly table position, they have kept the joint fewest goals in the Eliteserien. Stabaek and Odds BK have both conceded a league low 14 goals.
Manager Jan Jonsson’s biggest issue has been Stabaek’s lack of scoring. They have tallied the league’s fewest goals with nine.
Odds BK are undefeated in their last seven matches in all competitions against Stabaek. When these teams play there is typically a winner as none of their last 13 games have ended in a draw.
Matches are typically high scoring between the two rivals. Eighteen of the last 22 matches in all competitions between Odds BK and Stabaek have seen over 2.5 goals. Five consecutive matches between the two Norwegian clubs have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Odds BK have the joint best home points total in the Eliteserien. The Oddrane have collected 19 of 21 points possible. The Skagerak Arena has been a fortress as Odds BK have posted a +8-goal difference.
Stabaek have won back to back road games, but they have only collected six points of 18 possible on their travels. Da Blaa have scored a mere three goals away from home in six matches.
Odds BK striker Torgeir Borven has had a hot hand this season with nine goals in 13 games. Borven has scored five goals in his last nine games in all competitions including a goal last week in a 2-2 draw against Molde.
Dag-Eilev Fagermo’s Oddrane can reel in Molde on Wednesday night with a big win over Stabaek. The two teams should once again combine for over 2.5 goals as Odds BK collect another big win and revive their title hopes.