Valerenga – Rosenborg 21-04-2025

We are entering the regular third round of the Eliteserien, and Vålerenga has got an extra match under their belt when they met Fredrikstad away when FFK is going to play in European games in the fall. In Trondheim they have already started talking about gold, and is this the season that Alfred Johansson will really take the big step up? We think we will have a fun match between attacking teams, and we will elaborate on why I think it will be goal-oriented with goals in both directions. At the same time, we will explain why corner kicks can be a good game.

It seems like people are leaving Easter Mountain earlier this Easter Monday. It's sold out well over a week before the game, and the Trøndelagers say they're playing at home when it comes to support in the stands, no matter where they are. With a packed Intility Arena, there will be a good Easter atmosphere this afternoon from both short sides.

Vålerenga

Where this team will end up this year, no one knows. Before the season, many thought Vålerenga could be the surprise of the year, while others tipped them for mid-table status as Mediterranean adventurers. So far this year, they have played three games, one home and two away. At home against Viking, it was an even game until Viking's expulsion, and after that Vålerenga took more and more control. Away against Sarpsborg the following week, they got a good result after a somewhat messy first half. The last game against Fredrikstad away was an even first half, but Fredrikstad was much sharper and deservedly won 2-0.

In the first three games, Vålerenga is 1-1-1 and has a goal difference of 4-4. They have produced eight corners at home and conceded six, and on the road they have produced eight and conceded 15. Overall, they average 5.33 against 7.

The match against Rosenborg probably can't come soon enough after Vålerenga suffered a stinging defeat in the first round of the cup after a penalty shootout against a third division team. There was a lot that didn't add up, and they were never able to gain an advantage, even with an extra man in both extra periods. I expect they are geared up for revenge, but a loss like that doesn't exactly boost their confidence.

The last five matches between Vålerenga and Rosenborg have been tense and usually goal-heavy. The last five matches between them at Intility Arena have resulted in 1-2-2 with a goal difference of 4-9, which is three goals on average. Historically, these matches have resulted in a lot of corners, a total of 62, which gives an average of 12.4 per match. There have also been 22 yellow cards and one red card awarded in these five matches.

Vålerenga has no special injuries or suspended players to report.

Rosenborg

What is happening in Trøndelag these days is undoubtedly very exciting. Rosenborg has taken new steps under Alfred Johansson, but will they be able to take the very last step this year and punish Bodø/Glimt? No one was better than RBK in the latter half of last year, and with very few players out we believe that this team will be there and fight at the top. Johansson knows his squad very well, and the squad has learned to know his demands and expectations.

Rosenborg have played two elite league matches and one cup match so far this year. They have won both league matches deservedly, and have achieved a goal difference of 3-1. They have produced 13 corners and conceded eight. The team from Trøndelag has already incurred quite a few yellow cards, six in Drammen and one in Lerkendal.

Away against Godset they won very deservedly and were significantly better. At home against Fredrikstad they had a very good first half where they completely locked Fredrikstad down and had 3-4 big chances. No one would have said anything about the result if it had been 3-0 at halftime here, but a very good goalkeeper kept FFK in the game. A recurring factor at Rosenborg is that they are very good in the first half, but let the opponent in more and more in the second half.

Unlike Vålerenga, Rosenborg had a very good first round in the cup. They beat Rindal 1-11 and will take their confidence into the match. Rosenborg also has no special injuries or suspensions to report. The only player who should be a little careful this match is Ceide E. Konradsen, who has already picked up two yellow cards and will have to sit out the match against Molde if he picks up a yellow card this afternoon.

Conclusion

It is still early in the season, and we can still get some strange results. So far, Rosenborg has shown a better side with a full pot so far. We imagine that Rosenborg will dominate most of the match, as they have done in the other matches. They have been quite dominant in the first half, before letting up more in the second half. If RBK keeps the pace throughout 90 minutes, we do not think Vålerenga will have a chance in today's match. Nevertheless, we think this will be a rich and exciting match, hopefully full of attacks and with several goals.

Vålerenga will have to improve a lot from the previous cup match if they are to have any chance against RBK. Vålerenga will probably have some chances, but we don't think it will last all the way into this match, and we think it will be the Trøndelag team that takes the points home to Trøndelag.

Based on the form of the start of the series and historical data, we choose to land on the following bets:

Eliteserien at 14:30: Vålerenga – Rosenborg: Btts + over 2.5 goals (1.94)

Alternative games:

• Rosenborg win: 2.42
• Over 1.5 goals to Rosenborg: 2.04
• Over 10.5 corners total: 1.89
• Over 4.5 corners to Vålerenga: 1.75
• Over 5.5 corners to Rosenborg: 1.83