My 2nd play this weekend will be in the game between newly promoted team Molde and last years number 2 in Tippeligaen Stabæk.

Molde won Adeccoligaen last year and made the stay short. They were very dominant last year and won 22 of 30 games (10 of 15 at home.) They had the leagues lowest conceded goals with only 28 in 30 games. But that was Adeccoligaen. There are a big gap between the teams in Tippeligaen + 3-5 teams in Adecco and the rest.

Players in: Kristoffer Paulsen(defender), Christian Steen(defender), Thomas Holm(midfielder), Brian Walltrip(striker) Players out: Petter Christian Singsaas (defender), Marel Baldvinsson (striker), Trond Strande(defender), Øyvind Gram (midfielder), Sandro Grande(midfielder), Lars Ivar Moldskred (goalkeeper), Madiou Konate (striker), Christian Gauseth (midfielder)

Molde have done some good signings in Holm and Steen.

Holm is a good hard working midfielder, while Steen had great success in Tromsø last year. Have lost many players, but none of them were key players.

During the pre season Molde have played 11 games and were 3-5-3 20-17. They had also the weakest pre season schedule of the Tippeliga teams, so they have been a bit disapointing.

Stabæk was one of the surprises last season, where they ended up on 2nd place. They have a killer duo on top with Nannskog and Gunnarson, who score 19 and 15 goals last season, 2nd and 4th best in the league. They were the best away team in Tippeligaen last year, and 2nd in both scored and conceded goals.

Players in: Iven Austbø (goalkeeper), Anthony Annan(midfielder), Vegar Eggen Hedenstad (midfielder), Torstein Andersen Aase (striker). Jan Tømmernes (striker), Johann Anderson(midfielder) Players out: Inge Andre Olsen(defender), Branimir Poljac (striker), Espen Nystuen(midfielder), Eirik Markegård (striker), Jens Waltorp Sørensen (goalkeeper),

Stabæks 2 regular midfielders, Hauger and Tchoyi, are both having problems with injuries, so Anna and Anderson might get some time on the pitch in the start of the season. Austbø is a young and talentet keeper, that will give Knutsen a nice fight for the spot.

Preseason went 4-3-4 13-17 for Stabæk. Not the best result, but they have met good teams, both in Europe and Brazil.

Some stats from last year:

Total

1. Molde FK 30 22 3 5 62:28 69

2. Stabaek 26 14 6 6 53:35 48

Home

3. Molde FK 15 10 2 3 35:15 32

5. Stabaek 13 8 3 2 27:16 27

Away

1. Molde FK 15 12 1 2 27:13 37

1. Stabaek 13 6 3 4 26:19 21

I see Stabæk as a nice favorite here today, and the odds for Stabæk is settled at about 2.35. Stabæk victory was available at 2.6 two days ago but have been slashed. Highest now is 2.45 at Unibet. They and Betway also have 4.75 for Stabæk HC. I think Stabæk can give Molde a shock start tonight, and will try Stabæk -1 @ Betway with 3/10.

JPH

Pick : Stabæk -1 HC 3-way
Odds : 4.75
Stake : 3 / 10
Bookmaker : Betway
Match Result : 0-0
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: www.rb.no/fotball/live