Tromso v Stabaek – Sunday 26 June – Alfheim Stadion, Tromso (18:00)
Tromso
The Norwegian Tippeligaen is still wide open with a host of teams gunning the top of the table. Last season’s 3rd place finishers Tromso suffered their first defeat last weekend and consequently lost top spot on the table. They will play host to the 2009 3rd place finishers Stabaek this weekend who are just 3 points off them and keen for the title after a disappointing 2010 season.
Tromso have been one of the consistent teams in the Tippeligaen in recent years and now have their eyes on winning their first league title since 2002. With League Champions Rosenborg occupying a lowly 9th position, Tromso look one of the favourites for the this seasons title. Their away performances cost them the title last season and they will need to improve that this season if they stay in the running for the title. So far their unbeaten home record has carried them as they are yet to win on the road in their 4 outings. At home their defence is looking solid, conceding 4 goals in 7 matches, and they are having no problems scoring goals, 16 goals in 7 matches. The all time Tippeligaen top goal scorer, Sigurd Rushfeldt , has found some good form and will be a key player with his wealth of experience. The 38 year old has scored 168 goals in the Norwegian top tier, having also spent some time with Rosenborg before plying his trade for various European clubs like Racing Santanda and eventually returning to Tromso in 2006.
After years of lean seasons, Stabaek won their first title in 1998 as they emerged victorious in the Norwegian Cup, beating Rosenborg 3-1 in the final. After having been relegated to Adeccoligaen after a poor 2004 season, they experienced a successful period under new manager Jan Jonsson, during which they returned to the league in 2005, won the 2008 Norwegian Premier League, their 1st and finished 2nd in the Norwegian Cup, culminating in a very successful 2008 season for the club. Stabaek subsequently won the 2009 Norwegian Community Shield, though finished a disappointing 12th in the 2010 league season after finishing 3rd in 2009. They seem to have put last season behind them and are off to a decent start and are just 4 points off the top of the table. They have the best away record in the league having played 6 matches, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing just 1 match.
Stabaek won’t sit back and will take the match to Tromso, however the home team’s record seems too good to be broken after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend on the road. The home win is tipped.
