Vålerenga – Brann 03-05-2025

It's ready for the Eliteserien's big match this season! There's a lot at stake when Vålerenga and Brann meet for a duel. It's Øst versus Vest, Oslo versus Bergen, Frydenlund versus Hansa, Klanen versus Bataljonen, and so on. There have been many exciting matches over the years, and the rivalry between the teams has been characterized by goal-rich and even matches.

If Vålerenga are to make it today, they will have to make good use of the first half, because Brann takes time to get going. If it is a draw at halftime, like it was against RBK, we think Brann will take this.

Vålerenga – Goalless strikers

Vålerenga have delivered in the middle of the table so far this year, which is also their goal for this season. They have so far played 2-1-2 and have a goal difference of 6-6, which reflects the home team's performance.

In their last home game against Rosenborg they played their best game of the year, but due to inefficiency they didn't get any goals or points from that game. They took a strong away win in Kristiansund, and it looks like they have gained a little more confidence after two relatively poor games in Østfold.

Does Vålerenga have a striker crisis, many are asking these days. The Royal Blues strikers have still not scored a single goal in either the series or the cup against a level 4 team. It has been six games without a goal, and the media has already jumped in and asked if there is a striker crisis in Vålerenga. This builds pressure and mental strain for every single game where Brajanac or Rikjs do not score goals. Brajanac was a hot potato in Obos last year, but this year the level is a couple of notches up, and he is well "wrapped" by the opponent's central defense, at the same time he is a player who needs to be served more balls and given more to work with. He stated that he should score at least two goals against Brann before this game.

They are going to a packed Intility Arena for the second game in a row, and maybe this is the game where things will get loose for the strikers. Will we get the famous ketchup effect in front of a packed stadium? Vålerenga will have to be on top from the start, and they will probably have to have a lead at half-time if they are to have a chance today. In the first five games, Vålerenga has scored two goals and conceded two goals in the first half, but there have been four goals and four against in the second half. They have produced 12 corners and conceded 11 in their first two home games. In these two home games, 11 yellow cards (4-7) and one red card (0-1) have been handed out.

Vålerenga has no special injuries or suspended players to report.

Fire – Second half team

The season has started to settle in for Brann. They have really picked up steam after the surprising loss in Fredrikstad in the first round. In the first five games they have one loss in the first round of the series and four wins in a row, and have a goal difference of 10-8.

If Brann is to compete at the top this year, they will have to step up a few notches, especially in the first half. They have been slow to get going, and in the first five league matches, the Bergen team has conceded goals in four of them. In addition, they have been behind four times at half-time, but have managed to turn things around in the second half three times, albeit with a bit of luck with one penalty in the 92nd minute and another in the 95th minute. This is probably the flow that good teams usually get. So far this year, "Bergen's pride" has scored one goal and conceded six in the first half, but in the second half they have scored nine and conceded two. Brann produces a good number of corners in their matches, and on the away field they have produced 16 and conceded 13.

Looking at the history of the matches between Vålerenga and Brann, the atmosphere has been tense in recent years. If we take a closer look at the last five matches in Oslo, nine yellow cards and three red cards have been issued. Brann has incurred five of the nine yellow cards and two of the three red cards (the red cards have come in the last two matches). So far this year, the Bergen team has incurred two yellow cards away from home and four yellow cards in Bergen. Brann has only won one of the last five in Oslo, and that was the previous match.

The red-clad team has had somewhat "easier" opposition this season, and will probably have to brace themselves for somewhat tougher opposition going forward. Brann have two home games in a row, Vålerenga this evening and they host Rosenborg in Bergen in the round after that. It will be exciting to follow this Brann team going forward.

A little good news for everyone who has their heart in Brann is that Niklas Castro is ready to play after leaving training with pain earlier in the week. Otherwise, there are no special injuries to report.

Conclusion – Both will come forward and attack

With Vålerenga's goal average of 2.40 and Brann's goal average of 3.6 goals per game so far, we imagine it will be goal-rich, and there will definitely be a lot of corners as the home team's match average is 11.5 match corners and the away team has 14.5 on away field. We imagine this will be a fast-paced football match with a high tempo, good ignition level, and hopefully two offensive teams that will come forward to score goals and entertain a packed Intility.

Brann is probably the narrow favorite in this match, and if it is a draw at half-time, all three points will probably go to Bergen. Vålerenga is dependent on having a good first half, and must score a couple of goals if they are to have a chance of winning this match.

We expect a goal-rich match, where both teams will want to show off. We therefore choose to land on the following bets:

Eliteserien at 18:00: Vålerenga – Brann: Both teams to score + 2.5 goals (1.97)

Alternative games:

Most goals in the second half: 2.07

Over 10.5 corners: 1.85