Landsbankadeild - 07-08-2005 -

Fylkir – Akranes (3-0 in reverse fixture).

If we agree about FH and Valur as sure winners and runners-up of Landsbankadeild 2005 then it would be correct saying the 3rd place, that provides a place in the next Intertoto Cup, is the only goal left.
Both Fylkir and Akranes are within its reach, having 4 points more than KR (7th in the table) and being just 1 point behind Keflavik (3rd), that, on the other hand, have already played 12 matches.

Fylkir come to this match after 3 losses in a row: in Landsbankadeild they’ve been defeated at home by Throttur (0-1) and away at Valur (1-3) that collected a second victory over them just a couple of days ago in the VISA-Bikar semi-finals (0-2). The biggest disappointment lies in the fact that Fylkir played quite well in both games vs Valur. They’ve made very offensive games, as they usually do, especially when playing on the road, but they could not achieve anything.

Akranes are going to play away from home for the 4th time in a row.
Few months ago I considered the away games were IA’s weak point (due to their awful start). Last year they had an excellent away record so I’ve thought this season they would rather have collected the most points at home. I was wrong: Akranes have just been unlucky to visit in the very first rounds both FH and Valur. Of course they’ve collected 0 points in those matches, but now things are different and Akranes enjoy playing on the road. They’ve got 2 victories (3-1 at Grindavik and 2-0 at KR) and a draw (0-0 at Throttur) in last 3 away games. Overall they’re unbeaten in last 4 matches, where they have conceded just 1 goal.

For the upcoming game Fylkir will miss several players: the forwards Gislason and Gudnason are injured as well as the midfielders Stigson and Kolbeinson. The striker Christiansen, who got a red card in the cup match vs Valur, is banned.

Akranes have a complete team to choose from.

Probabile line-ups:

Fylkir: Halldorson; Sigurdsson, Gisalson, Danielsson, Peturson; Hedinsson, Tranberg, Helgason, Arnarsson; Helgason, Takefusa.

Akranes:Gudmundsson; Reynisson, Leosson, Jonson, Sveinsson; Bjornsson, Haraldsson, Pesic, Vilhjamnsson; Hjartarsson; Juliusson.

Looking at Fylkir’s absences list you would say they will lack of some firepower. That’s partially true: Christiansen is a good striker and his miss is a blow, but the replacements are good players.
Helgason (Hfrankell) is an offensive midfielder, very dangerous. He was playing behind the forwards in last games, but tomorrow he’will be the partner of Takefusa in attack, while his role will be played by Arnarsson, another offensive player. The bad thing is the midfield : both Stigson and Kolbeinson are good experienced players and I think their absence will have an influence on the game. Fylkir are going toh ave some troubles in building the game IMHO and in a home game, where Fylkir usually struggle, this could be a decisive thing.

It does not seem Akranes want to change the well covered module they played in last matches, but we have an important difference: the forward Hjartarsson will be slightly behind Juliusson and this means they probably won’t rely only on counters, but also try and risk something in attack.
Defense and midfield are very solid like in last games.

H2H:

2004 Fylkir – IA 2-2
2003 Fylkir – IA 0-1
2002 Fylkir – IA 1-3
2001 Fylkir – IA 2-1
2000 Fylkir – IA 2-1

Still Fjolskylduhatid (family festival) time at Fylkir, but tomorrow it mostly involve the supporters rather than the players.
After the grill there will be some entertainment stuff, then the final parade to the Fylkirsvollur for the match.

I think too many things point to a hard time for hosts here. The bad streak and the disappointment for being out of the Cup are not good for Fylkir’s morale. This is the 3rd game in a week, so they could feel a bit tired, especially after having got nothing from their last matches. Add to this the several absences and the fact they’re usually poor at home. On the other hand we have a well rested team (last time they played on 26/07) that started and collecting points on the road. IA also have a good tradition in the most recent mutual matches.

Fylkir - IA + 0,5 (asian):

Pick: IA
Odds: 1,56
Bookmaker: Gamebookers
Stake: 8/10
Confidence: 9/10

IBV - Grindavik

At this point of the season the table clearly says just 4 teams will be fighting to avoid the relegation to 1 deild.
IBV and Grindavik are two of those and tonight they’ll meet each other in a very important match.

IBV come to this game after the narrow home defeat (0-1) to the table leaders FH. Meanwhile they have left the UEFA Cup, having lost to Far Oer side B36 with an aggregate score of 2-3.
Earlier they managed to get 2 useful results in a row, having defeated the other relegation – candidate Fram at home (2-0) and got a draw away at Keflavik.

Looking at the stats shows IBV don’t look capable to collect points away from home, whereas at ‘Hasteinsvollur’ they’re not bad at all.
At home IBV have lost to FH (but you must remember they were somewhat forced to field a weakened side since their players on loan by Hafnarfjordur are not allowed to play against their “mother-team”) Kefalvik and Fylkir, that are two of the best away sides of the league.
They defeated Fram, Valur and KR overall providing good performances (except the one vs Fylkir that simply destroyed them).

Grindavik played (and lost) at home the last two matches, while they managed to stay unbeaten in last two games on the road (1-1 draw at keflavik and 1-0 win at Fram). Such results improved a bit their away record, that now looks very similar to the other strugglers’ one..
Today they’ll try and achieve another positive result, but I guess it won’t be easy since UG have never had an easy way at IBV:

2004 – 2-0
2003 – 1-0
2002 – 0-0
2001 – 3-0
2000 – 1-2
1999 – 2-1
1998 – 2-0
1997 – 2-1
1996 – 2-1
1995 – 3-1



These H2H stats, IBV home form and Grindavik away record suggest an home win as a very possibile outcome. However I’m not really sure about it.
First of all Grindavik could have extra-motivations: they have one game in hands and in next two rounds (the very next one just in a couple of days) they’ll play both FH and Fylkir. The short distance between the low table teams makes even a single point very important, although usually draw between relegation – candidates are useless.
Even if we agree about Grindavik to play with extra motivation this could not be enough to stay unbeaten today.
The team news can then provide further clues..

IBV will have many absences: the first goalkeeper Kristinsson is, of course, still unavailable;
Te defenders Sigurdsson, Robinson and the forward Johanesson are injured as well, while midfielders Jeffs and Adalsteinnson are doubtful and it’s very unlikely they’ll be fit for the game.
Finally, defender Sigurdjonsson is unavailable. The new signing Vorenkamp should start from the bench.

Grindavik will miss the defender Albertsson (long term injury) as well as the forward Johansson, and the midfielders Jonsson and Hjaltalin. The experienced midfielder Niestroj is suspended.

We have a very unpredictable match. Although H2H seem to exclude an away win I think this game can go either way. Personally I find odds on draw (3,45 at Stanleybet) very valuable.
IBV should try and control the game, but they have too many injured players to be reliable today. Grindavik will defend, but also try to score and win: 3 points are really crucial. But it can also happen neither IBV nor UG will want to risk a defeat if at a certain point of the game the score shall be still tied.

IBV - Grindavik:

Pick: Draw
Odds: 3,45
Bookmaker: Stanleybet
Stake: 2/10
Confidence: 3/10

KK_