Landsbankadeild - 11-08-2005 -

Akranes – Valur

Big match in Landsbankadeild.

The recent defeat to Fram costed Valur the last chances to reach FH on the top of the table and now the team from Reykjavik have to travel at Akranes to play vs the in-form IA with the task to strenghten their current 2nd place (UEFA Cup).
Have to say this match does not come in a good moment for Valur. Defeat apart, not only the performance by Henrikssen (scorer of the 2 goals for Fram), but even the fact he was training with Valur since few time ago has been used by the local press to hit Valur.
That’s why Valur’s players have written a long document (a “declaration”) in which they express much disappointment for what has happened.

On the other hand IA, if we exclude FH, are the best side of Landsbankadeild. The team come from 4 victories out of 5 (unbeaten) matches. This nice streak becomes even longer if we add the draw Akranes achieved away at FH in VISA-Bikar and the home win vs Derby County in a friendly game. Despite they could not start the season in a good way now they feel they can aim an important spot; maybe the 2nd place itself.
Akranes know the upcoming match can be decisive so they are going to sell, at the entrance of the Akranesvollur, yellow (social color) T-Shirt to their supporters. Buying (and wearing) a T-Shirt (sold at the popular price of 500 kr - 6 euro, more or less) will allow the supporter to enter the stadium for free.

For the match Valur will be at full strenght, while Akranes, that are going to confirm the 4-4-1-1 module, should miss Magnusson and Hjalmsson. Igor Pesic, who got a light injury in the match vs Fylkir should be fit.


Probable line-ups:
IA: Guðmundsson, Reynisson, Jónsson, Leósson, Sveinsson, Haraldsson, Pesic,Björnsson, Vilhjálmsson, Hjartarson, Júlíusson.
Valur: Sturluson; Sigfinnur, Þórarinsson, Ólafur, Steinþór, Aðalsteinsson, Hreiðarsson, Guðmundsson, Helgi , Benediktsson, Gunnlaugsson.
H2H:

2003: IA-Valur 2-0
2001: IA-Valur 2-0
1999: IA-Valur 0-1
1998: IA-Valur 1-1
1997: IA-Valur 3-2
1996: IA-Valur 2-1
1995: IA-Valur 1-0
1994: IA-Valur 2-1


I think Akranes can get 3 pts here. The team is well balanced and in good form, they’ll be 100% motivated and usually do well vs Valur (overall the H2H is 12-1-4). Tomorrow they must win, otherwise they’ll have to wait for the next season to try and get a UEFA spot.
When Valur lost to FH earlier this season, they reacted with another defeat, away at poor IBV. I think it can happen again: the things that follewed the derby have broken the quiet in the group. Furthermore the players could be a bit tired being this one the 4th match in 8 days (and they’ve all been hard-fought matches).

IA - Valur:

Pick: IA
Odds: 3,05
Bookmaker: Betandwin
Stake: 5/10
Confidence: 5/10

KK_