- Recent form: Stabaek have won two and drawn two of their last five games, beating Kongsvinger 2-0.
- 10-game form: Egersund IK have won four, drawn one, and lost five of their last 10 games in all competitions. (W4, D1, L5).
- Visitors' form: The visitors are winless in five games, losing four, including a 0-5 thrashing by Stroemsgodset last time out.
Bold Blue Ones can overwhelm lacklustre Egersund
Stabaek form and style
Stabaek are fancied to overcome an out-of-form Egersund IK when these two second division sides matchup at Nye Nadderud Stadion, Norway, on Sunday. Stabaek have won three of their last four at Nadderud, losing once, and they've scored an average of 2.50 goals per-game while conceding just 1.00 across those matches.
Kjell Andre Thu has instilled a bold, possession-based style at Stabaek since taking charge, and his side have the attacking depth and quality to carry it off. Stabaek are a side to watch when in possession of the ball, where they create overloads in the wide areas and utilise their creative wide attackers and dynamic midfielders.
Egersund profile
Egersund IK, on the other hand, are a transition team who like to hit their opponents quickly and make the most of space in behind. On paper, it's a good recipe for success, but Egersund haven't hit their stride since Marius Kjørvik Johansen took charge, and they appear more vulnerable defensively than they are dangerous in the final third.
Stabaek are value in the moneyline market
Egersund's players are capable of opening up games, but their open, high-variance approach has seen them win just four and lose five of their 10 matches, including four defeats in their last five.
Stabaek have played well in all departments since their manager took over, notching five wins, three draws and just two defeats in their last 10 in all competitions.
- This will be a good test against an opponent that will try to dictate terms, but Stabaek are more likely to benefit from home advantage and superior form in this clash, and they're overpriced at around the 1.75 mark.
- Goals are likely at both ends when two teams who favour possession meet a side who will try to counterattack.
- Over 2.5 match goals and Both Teams to Score, both priced generously at around the 1.37 and 1.41 marks respectively, is our main selection for this encounter.
- Stabaek have the best chance of winning it, though, so we're going with them in the moneyline.
Magnus Lankhof-Dahlby is a big threat for Blue Ones
Magnus Lankhof-Dahlby has hit a rich vein of form in front of goal for Stabaek recently, scoring three in his last five appearances for the Blue Ones. The attacker will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing an Egersund defence that has shipped an average of 2.25 goals-per-game across their last four on the road (W1, L3). It's likely to be another tough day in Norway for Egersund.
