FREE TIP 22.07.2013

Esbjerg - Nordsjaelland

Esbjerg were relegated in the 2010/2011 season, and after gaining promotion in 2012, the 2012/2013 proved good for EFB where they finished 4th and won the 2013 Danish cup beating Randers in the finals.   Esbjerg have kept a large framework of the team that played last season, with 13 points lesser than their opponent today. Last week, Arnor Smarason (6 goals in 18 matches) was loaned on a free transfer to Helsingborg but team bought Mick Van Buren (13 goals in 28 matches) from Exclesor in Netherland and Horsen’s last season’s first choice goalkeeper Frederick Ronnow (33 matches). Altogether, Esjberg is expected to look stronger than last season, or at least maintain a good account in the league.    Coming into the season, they’ve won all their preparatory matches and it is expected team doesn’t have confidence question in their opener.   Nordsjaelland finished last season as runner-up, and by the time they were comfortable on the second spot began to play little sloppy, accumulating draws but ended the season on high with two consecutive home victories.   During the transfer period, FC Nordsjaelland have sold their last season highest goalscorer, Joseph John (10 goals in 22 matches) to Twente and regular defender Jores Okore (4 goals in 29 matches) to Aston villa and have bought goalkeeper David Jensen (who was second choice goalkeeper last season) from AB and Andreas Laudrup (5 matches) from St. Etienne II.    Nordsjaelland have showed how weak they’d seem in the season, losing their two preparatory matches, conceding 8 goals in the process.   In their opener, guests will also have to deal without absence of players who were regular in the team last season as the following players are also injured: Soren Christientien (26/6), Kasper Lorentzen (24/4), Morten Nordstrand (22/7) and last season’s rotational player Uffe Bech (5/2).

Betting option: Draw No Bet Pick: Esbjerg DNB Odds: 2.11