Rosenborg BK and Shkendija meet at Lerkendal Stadion, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (Play-offs). These two teams have never faced each other before, so this will be their first direct confrontation. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.
Rosenborg BK:
The home team reaches this stage of the UEFA Europa League (Play-offs) after having eliminated Cork City, after a home win by (3-0) and a win by (0-2) away in the previous tie. This is a team that, oddly enough, has had better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 12 wins and 3 losses in away matches; against 9 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the Eliteserien, they won against Kristiansund BK by (0-2). Rosenborg BK has won 6, tied 3 and lost 1 of the last 10 home matches. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 47 of the last 53 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals and 36 out of 53 have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 15 matches, they suffered the first goal 4 times and only managed 1 comeback. There are 2 periods that stand out in the last 13 home matches for all competitions: they have scored 9 of their 25 goals between minutes (46′-60 ‘); He suffered 4 of his 8 goals between the minutes (76’-90 ‘).
Rosenborg come into this game with a triumph in the visit to the land of Kristiansund, by 0-2, in a match for the Norwegian Championship. To reach this stage of the Europa League, the Norwegians beat Cork City. In this game against Shkendija, a team of inferior quality, coach Rini Coolen must keep the team in the usual tactical design, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks through the flanks: Jensen is a player of great technical quality and very strong in the offensive transition. On the other hand, Alexander Soderlund is the great highlight of this team, with 6 goals scored in the championship. For this game the coach can not count on Lanlay and Adegbenro, both with physical problems.
Shkendija:
The visiting team plays their first match in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of winning a positive result as a visitor. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 17 goals scored and 31 conceded; against 10 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses at their stadium, with 27 goals scored and 13 conceded. The team comes to this match after a home defeat to Salzburg by (0-1). In the last 10 away matches for all competitions, Shkendija has won 3, tied 3 and lost 4. Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In their home matches there is a tendency for goals, since 10 of the last 11 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals and 8 out of 11 have ended with Over 2,5 goals.
The Shkendija comes to this game with a defeat at home against Salzburg, by 0-1, thus being eliminated from the Champions League. It is important to underline that this club currently disputes the first division of the Macedonian Championship. In this first leg of the play-offs of access to the group stage of the Europa League it will be expected that coach Qatip Osmani will bet on a more defensive team, with short lines, looking for the best way to exploit the space in the back of the opposing defense. Besart Ibraimi is the great highlight of this team, with 6 goals scored this season. For this game away from home the foreign trainer can count on all his players.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / NO @ 1.63
