Football Bet of the Day: Pride of Oslo to burn bright tonight

Valerenga v Tromso
Friday August 07, 18:00

Vitoria Guimaraes 1 Rheindorf Altach 4 last night. Vitoria tumbled out of the Europa League after an abject display, and they dragged us down with them. It wasn't just Michael Clarke who had a mare yesterday, but unlike the ailing Aussie skipper, we have a shot at redemption.

To Norway, and a Tippeligaen clash between Valerenga and Tromso. Valerenga are third in the 16-team Elitserien, while Tromso are third from bottom, and only out of the automatic relegation zone on goal difference.

It's famine or feast for the hosts at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, with five wins and four defeats. When the Bohemians win at home, they win well - all five of their home victories have come by atwo-goal margin.

Tromso aren't too easy to beat at home, but when they venture away from the Alfheim Stadion, the runners come off the sled (that's the Norwegian version of the wheels coming off). Tromso have won just one of their nine away games in the league, and they've already racked up six defeats on their travels.

When these two clashed earlier in the season, Valerenga won a bonkers match by five goals to four, scoring the decisive goal on 87 minutes. Not only have Valerenga won the teams' most recent encounter, but they've also triumphed in their last four home games against them without conceding a single goal.

I'm struggling to see why Valerenga are trading at 1.72 to win against a Tromso team that wasdemolished 6-0 at home by Stromsgodset last Sunday, and hasn't won an away game since April. To make matters worse for the visitors, they are without suspended defender Simen Wangberg (stop giggling at the back).

You could happily back the hosts outright, but given Valerenga's penchant for winning by two goals at home, let's boost the price by using the Asian Handicap.

Recommended Bet

Back Valerenga -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.20