Eliteserien Round 8: Can Odd Plug the Gaps? Rosenborg's Affinity for Homegrown Talent

The eighth round of Eliteserien continues in the early hours of May 17th, Beijing time. Odd finds themselves in a troubling state, with recent performances suggesting a lack of commitment from the players. Meanwhile, Rosenborg’s squad, comprised mostly of their own academy products, has yet to see this stronger sense of belonging translate into points. It appears their veterans and newly promoted young talents need more time to blend.

Odd vs. Molde - The Emerging Playmaker's Taste of Eliteserien

Odd is currently enduring a slump, having secured only one point in the last four matches. Their strong start to the season ensured they gathered enough points early on, keeping them just above the direct relegation zone. However, recent games have exposed severe issues on both offensive and defensive fronts. They managed to score three goals in these four matches, all of which came against Viking, yielding just one point. Defensively, they have been in disarray, conceding a total of 11 goals. Their most recent outing saw them suffer a humiliating 0-4 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Tromsø, who had started the season with five consecutive losses and were the league's lowest scorers at the time. Tromsø played like reigning champions against Odd, raising questions about the players’ desire to fight for head coach Jan Derek Sørensen.

Molde, a traditionally strong team, has been as inconsistent this season as they were last. Their erratic performances make it hard to believe they can pose a significant challenge to Bodø/Glimt’s title defense. In their last match against another historic club, Rosenborg, the teams traded leads before settling for a 2-2 draw, reflecting their evenly matched contest. Molde’s squad includes several new signings this season, but these additions have only managed to maintain their current level rather than providing any significant improvement. Among the new faces, 18-year-old attacking midfielder Granas stands out. Having come through the Mjøndalen youth system, Granas previously played in the Norwegian First Division. His style draws comparisons to Arsenal’s Norwegian star Martin Ødegaard. Granas made his Eliteserien debut in the 87th minute of the last game, and if Molde had been in a more comfortable position, he might not have had the opportunity to appear.

Due to Molde's upcoming participation in European qualifiers this summer, their 17th-round match against Odd was played in April, resulting in a 2-1 victory for Odd. Despite Molde’s superior overall record, Odd occasionally manages to pull off surprise wins. Currently, with Odd in poor form, it seems unlikely they will pose much of a threat. Molde is expected to perform at 20% capacity away from home, while Odd might manage to muster 10% of their strength thanks to home crowd support.

Rosenborg vs. Oslo KFUM - Fading Giants vs. Rising Stars

Rosenborg, facing strong opposition in their last three matches, has been winless during this period, indicating that their historical prestige counts for little at present. They conceded eight goals in these three games, bringing their total goals conceded to double digits. This makes them the highest-scoring team with a negative goal difference. In recent years, Rosenborg’s transfer market activities have not been particularly successful. Consequently, this season they have primarily relied on talent from their own academy. Currently, two of their main wingers, both under 20, are academy products. Even their signings mainly consist of familiar faces who originally left Rosenborg for higher-level European leagues in their youth and returned in their thirties. So far, this setup hasn’t yielded particularly impressive results.

Promoted team Oslo KFUM has had a decent start to the season, maintaining a single-digit league position. Their two wins have come against lower-ranked relegation rivals, effectively making those victories worth 12 points. Defense is undoubtedly Oslo’s cornerstone for survival this season. Despite a heavy 1-4 loss to fellow promoted side Fredrikstad in the last round, their total goals conceded have yet to reach double digits. Both teams are in similar form at present, and Oslo has already managed a draw against strong team Brann this season. Facing Rosenborg, they are likely to limit both themselves and their opponents to 10% performance levels.

Odd's Struggles: Defensive and Offensive Woes

Odd’s recent form raises significant concerns. Their offensive struggles are clear, having scored only three goals in their last four matches, all against Viking. Defensively, the situation is even more alarming. Conceding 11 goals in four games highlights a defensive collapse that needs urgent addressing. The 0-4 thrashing by Tromsø, a team that had struggled mightily at the season's start, exemplifies Odd’s dire state. The defensive frailties are troubling, and the team's morale appears to be waning, leading to speculation about their commitment to head coach Jan Derek Sørensen.

Molde's Inconsistency and New Faces

Molde’s season has been marked by inconsistency. While they possess the talent to challenge top teams, their performances have been erratic. The 2-2 draw with Rosenborg, a team with a similarly storied history, underscores this point. Molde’s new signings have not yet delivered the significant improvement fans hoped for. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder Granas, with his potential likened to Martin Ødegaard, represents a bright spot. However, his limited playtime suggests that Molde is still figuring out how to best integrate their new talent.

Rosenborg's Academy Reliance and Mixed Results

Rosenborg’s reliance on their academy has yielded mixed results. The team’s defensive issues are pronounced, having conceded eight goals in their last three games. Despite this, the integration of young talent from their academy is a promising sign for the future. However, the return of older, familiar faces has not yet translated into immediate success. The team’s current standing as the highest-scoring team with a negative goal difference reflects the challenges they face in blending experience with youth effectively.

Oslo KFUM's Defensive Strength

Oslo KFUM’s season has been built on a solid defensive foundation. Despite their recent heavy defeat to Fredrikstad, they have managed to keep their goals conceded in single digits. Their ability to draw against strong teams like Brann indicates that they can compete at this level. Facing Rosenborg, Oslo KFUM will likely rely on their defensive strength to limit the game’s flow and capitalize on any mistakes from their more prestigious opponents.

Conclusion

As Eliteserien's eighth round continues, the spotlight is on Odd’s ability to recover from their recent slump and Rosenborg’s integration of homegrown talent. Odd’s defensive issues and lack of offensive firepower are significant concerns. Molde’s inconsistency and the integration of new players add to the intrigue. Rosenborg’s reliance on academy products and their defensive struggles will be tested against an Oslo KFUM side that has built its season on defensive resilience. Both matches promise to offer insights into the evolving dynamics of Eliteserien as teams navigate the challenges of the season.