Fire – Viking 13-07-25

Between hills and mountains out to sea, a relatively important football match will be played this weekend. The two best football teams in the Eliteserien so far will meet for a duel, and dominance over Western Norway is at stake. In Bergen, the temperature is probably high this Sunday evening, because if you are to enter the battle for first place, Viking must be beaten. The away team, for its part, is experiencing its best league form in living memory. Nine points down to Brann, albeit with one more game played, and with a steady course towards a long-awaited league title. In a way, it feels like a kind of early match ball, because if Viking wins this away game, the self-confidence must just take root in the entire squad. Bodø/Glimt is struggling this season, and even if all the games in the draw were to be won, they will be behind. No, this looks bright for the team from Stavanger. The only thing that will cut into the joy must be the exit in the cup on Wednesday. Sarpsborg 08 was too strong, and with that we can put a line over a possible Stavanger double. Beyond this, most things are in Viking's hands now that we have entered the national holiday here in Norway.

Fire – We can literally hear the New Voice in the distance

For Brann is once again one of the top teams in Norwegian football. If you come from Bergen and have a love for football, you seize the chances you get to break out in song. Sing when you're winning, they say on the ball island, and the term must have come with the waves across the North Sea and landed on Bryggen in Bergen. Because here you vote when the team scores three points. And this season there have actually been some. Eight wins in 14 games are noticeable, but a goal difference of 24-21 is somewhat problematic. It's a lot to have conceded 21 goals in 14 games for a team that wants to fight at the top. Action must be taken here. One goal conceded in the last two shows signs of improvement.

Otherwise, they have lost two of the last five with ugly numbers. These are also matches that you should avoid losing, as they must be considered top matches in terms of who the opponent has been. With 0-3 against both Bodø/Glimt and Molde, the team got a couple of real nose stealers. If Brann is to assert itself at the top, these matches must also be forced, and they must show that this is the level they have. A new match of this caliber awaits on Sunday, and if the opponent has been tough to handle before, it will not be any easier now. Because Viking are good this year.

There are still a few absences in the Brann squad, but Alexandersson is largely in charge of the same guys. Perhaps a Bård Finne in goal form is needed for the Bergeners to really take off. The question is whether they should not first and foremost try to contain the fierce Vikings on Sunday. Maybe not what the audience has come to see, but if you are going to get a foothold at the top, you cannot let yourself be outplayed by direct competitors. Brann must be difficult to break down when the referee blows the whistle under a cloudless sky this weekend.

Viking – A small mistake, but we won't be fooled

For Viking perhaps did not give everything in the cup match against Sarpsborg 08. Yes, they would probably make it to a final, of course, but I wonder if it is not a league gold that hangs highest, and thus also occupies the minds of the Viking guys during the day. Because in the series things are going well. The goals may have dried up a bit, but the points are coming. That is the most important thing, if this is to end with Champagne corks and screaming in the fall.

Another thing to note is Viking's defensive numbers in recent rounds. In the last four league games, only one ball has ended up in their own goal. These are numbers that make even the most experienced coach rub their hands a little extra, because if you are difficult to break down, you are also difficult to beat. This in turn leads to more victories, especially with Viking's offensive qualities. We analyzed Viking last weekend as well, and recommended bets in this direction. The cage was kept spotless against Strømsgodset, and the one goal held for three new points.

We will dwell on this one goal for a while. Because goals are not coming in on order at the moment. Can we use this to our advantage then? The match away against Brann is probably one that you don't want to lose, and then the question is, have you primarily gone to Bergen to be difficult to deal with, or are you offering to dance when it is after all the battle for Western Norway that is at stake. If Morten Jensen is cynical enough now, he will give a blank to the entertainment, and only focus on what results in a good result.

Viking suffered some minor injuries in the cup match against Sarpsborg, but the guys are reported to be in good shape, and hopefully for the away team you can field your best men. Away against Sarpsborg, home to Stavanger, then on to Bergen three days later. It is not inconceivable that this could result in some tired legs, and that the occasionally exuberant attacking play will be a bit sluggish on Sunday. Maybe not the most favorable time to invite yourself to a dance after all?

Conclusion – When no one wants to lose, do we get a draw?

It's not exactly unlikely. Brann will probably go for it, you would think, but with the defeats to Molde and Bodø/Glimt fresh in your mind, you should think twice. If you do that, you'll be pulling the emergency brake. Viking won't be asked twice, and if Brann is to have any opportunities, they can't expose themselves behind.

Viking could potentially have some tired legs on Sunday. If you travel home to Stavanger with a draw in your luggage, you are on a good track. This match is not one that you absolutely have to win. The away team is very difficult to break down this season, and in light of the last matches it seems that they have found the key to a clean cage. Possibly locked the gate and threw the key into the sea. Either way, Brann will have a tough time getting to the obvious chances.

The last three between the teams have ended in a draw. A result that both duelists can live with on Sunday, although Brann would probably like to see all three go their way. That is perhaps asking a lot considering the opponent in the match. We think Viking may feel the match pressure somewhat, and that this is not necessarily where things loosen up in front of the box again. In summary, we give a small nod in favor of the Siddis, and predict a match where defensive structure trumps offensive development. Perhaps not what you want when Bergen offers up to 30 degrees of heat and a public festival, but it is reasonable to believe based on the conditions. From experience, the best football is not played in such temperatures either. The strength is literally draining out of the body, and it would be surprising if this were to lead to the extra runs down the chalk.

We predict a rather low-scoring derby, and with something as unusual as drinks breaks in Bergen this Sunday evening.

Norway at 19:15: Brann – Viking: Under 3.5 goals (1.65)

Alternative game

Norway at 19:15: Brann – Viking: Under 2.5 goals (2.50)

Norway at 19:15: Brann – Viking: Viking wins, draw refunded (1.92)

Norway at 19:15: Brann – Viking: Draw at halftime (2.40)