The Danish League (3F Superliga) starts on Friday with FC Midtjylland facing newly promoted Hvidovre at home. So I thought this an appropriate time to start at thread for the new season. Like last season, I will start out by going through the teams according to their betting odds of winning the league. This year, it seems like the bookies have largely divided the teams into three groups; five strong teams, four middling teams, and then three clear favourites for the two relegation spots.
FC København (1.75)
The capital club is favoured to win their third straight title. Both of the last two titles have been won by the skin of their teeth, despite a significant financial advantage. Last season was saved after Jacob Neestrup took over, and delivered an impressive comeback to win the league. But a few significant changes is expected to their side. Loanee Mohamed Daramy has returned to Ajax, the club is negotiating about a major sale of Hákon Arnar Haraldsson to Lille, and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara is widely expected to be sold as well. They have purchased Jordan Larsson permanently, but other than that, no significant incoming transfers yet. Significant defenders Davit Khocholava and Nicolai Boilesen are still injured, while it's hoped that expensive striker Andreas Cornelius can now have a fit period and return to former periods of dominance in the Superliga.
FC Midtjylland (4.50)
The side from Central Jutland saved a bit of the previous season by winning the European playoff match, and gaining access to the Conference League qualification rounds. But overall, last season's league performance was a significant underachievement. Things seemed like they started to work properly when Thomas Thomasberg took over the reins before the relegation group started. The club clearly sees the need for some changes, so several transfers have happened already. South Korean NT striker Cho Gue-Sung has been purchased to fill the problematic striker spot, Kristoffer Olsson has been signed permanently in Anderlecht and experienced Icelandic NT defender Sverrir Ingi Ingason was signed from PAOK. They also picked up decent squad players like Iver Fossum, Oscar Hedvall and Andre Rømer, as well as Benfica U23 attacker Franculino. Additionally, the club has Sory Kaba, Pablo Ortiz, Niklas Dyhr and record-signing Marrony returning from loan, and an open question of whether their strenghts will be utilized in the club this season. Only squad player Mads Døhr Thychosen has left yet. But star offensive player Gustav Isaksen is certainly expected to leave, while Egyptian NT Emam Ashour is already expected to depart after a short, poor, dissatisfied time at the club.
FC Nordsjælland (11.00)
The talent factory in Farum is not intending to spent a lot of time licking its wounds after last season's downfall en route to what looked like a title. Johannes Hoff Thorup, who took over as coach, halfways through the season now needs to prove that he is the right choice for a Superliga top contender. The club loses several loanees, Rocco Ascone, Wahid Faghir, Emiliano Marcondes and particularly key player Mads Bidstrup, while another rock in the side Jacob Steen leaves for Köln. But the two significant incoming transfers are seen as statements of intent. Marcus Invargtsen, who is often around the Danish NT, was purchased in Mainz, where he scored 10 goals in the Bundesliga last season. And OB captain Jeppe Tverskov, who can play central defender/defensive midfielder, joins the club on a free transfer. There is a lot of interest about two of their key players, Adamo Nagalo and Ernest Nuamah, but nothing concrete yet. And then the club always seem to produce new, amazing talents from their academies, who make quick breakthroughs.
AGF (11.00)
Last season's bronze medal winners from Aarhus are expected to have another strong season. Their star central defender Yann Aurel Bisseck was purchased by Inter for 7 mio euro, but otherwise they might be able to hold their squad together. Michael Akoto has been signed as a potential replacement. The club has also signed promising winger Tobias Bech from Ingolstadt, purchased Felix Beijmo permanently, and picked up Janni Serra and loaned Magnus Knudsen. Last season, the club was mostly recognized for a strong defence, but during the championship group matches, they also started to show some strong, intense offensive football. Interesting how they will look in this new season.
Brøndby (11.00)
After a disappointing season, the transfer window could see a fair bit of upheaval in Brøndby. Danish NT goalkeeper Mads Hermansen seems destined for a big sale, probably to Leicester, while peripheral player Anis Ben Slimane has suprisingly gone to Sheffield United. To strengthen the weak central midfield, they signed Jacob Rasmussen from Fiorentina for 3 mio euro, while right back Justin Che was signed from FC Dallas. Surely a replacement goalkeeper will be purchased as well as one or two new key players. Coach Jesper Sørensen took over this winter, and came in wanting to play a strong possession style of football, but after some weeks realized that the team didn't really seem ready for that style. So he reversed to a more counterattacking style of football, and had some good results with a classic big-small man partnership up front with Ohi Omoijuanfo and Mathias Kvistgaarden. It sounds like, they will try to keep this more intense, direct style, but guessing Sørensen still has some ambitions to improve the possession play.
Danish football season 2023/24
Viborg (34.00)
Last season's surprise package still seem to have a quite strong starting line-up, but the question is how solid they look if a few of their key performers are snatched. Right back Anton Gaaei has attracted heavy attention from Ajax, left winger Elias Achouri has a number of very interested buyers, and home-grown goalkeeper Lucas Lund is also said to be a hot name. The biggest gap in the squad was in the central striker position after the departure of Jay-Roy Grot in the Winter, where none of the purchased alternatives performed. Now another player has been added to the mix, as they purchased the big striker Anosike Ementa from relegated AaB.
OB (41.00)
Funen's key club has seen a lot of turnover this window, and with several fairly unknown players coming in, it seems very uncertain how much quality they actually have, and how quick they can play together this new bunch. Young breakout star Yankuba Minteh was purchased by Newcastle for 8 mio euro, while captain Jeppe Tjerskov left together with Jørgen Skjelvik, Jakob Breum and Mads Frøkjær. Incoming players are Hobro's best player, Don Deedson, and Mohamed Buya Turay, Rami Al-Hajj, Johannes Selvén, Sauli Väisänen, Sven Köhler & Leroy Owusu.
Randers FC (67.00)
Randers finished last in the championship group, and there are some doubts about whether Rasmus Bertelsen can lead them to those heights in the coming season. Key central midfielder Lasse Berg Johnsen has been purchased by Malmø while wingers Tosin Kehinde and Jacob Ankersen are leaving as well. The only notable incoming player is centre back Wessel Dammers, so more activity is expected.
Silkeborg IF (67.00)
The bronze winners from 2021/22 had a horrible end to the 22/23 season, losing themselves all the way into relegation danger towards the end of the season. The club now hopes to get back on track, and has followed tradition by picking up some of the best players from the second-best leagues. They have brought in two of the profiles of promoted Hvidovre in Frederik Carlsen and Andreas Pyndt, alongside Jacob Pryts and Callum McCowatt. Winger Sebastian Jørgensen, was a part of their lethal attacking trio in 21/22, but showed much less last season, and has now been sold to Malmø. They still have a very set possession-style of play, which fits their plastic pitch, so they should be strong enough at home to avoid too much relegation danger.
Last season's surprise package still seem to have a quite strong starting line-up, but the question is how solid they look if a few of their key performers are snatched. Right back Anton Gaaei has attracted heavy attention from Ajax, left winger Elias Achouri has a number of very interested buyers, and home-grown goalkeeper Lucas Lund is also said to be a hot name. The biggest gap in the squad was in the central striker position after the departure of Jay-Roy Grot in the Winter, where none of the purchased alternatives performed. Now another player has been added to the mix, as they purchased the big striker Anosike Ementa from relegated AaB.
OB (41.00)
Funen's key club has seen a lot of turnover this window, and with several fairly unknown players coming in, it seems very uncertain how much quality they actually have, and how quick they can play together this new bunch. Young breakout star Yankuba Minteh was purchased by Newcastle for 8 mio euro, while captain Jeppe Tjerskov left together with Jørgen Skjelvik, Jakob Breum and Mads Frøkjær. Incoming players are Hobro's best player, Don Deedson, and Mohamed Buya Turay, Rami Al-Hajj, Johannes Selvén, Sauli Väisänen, Sven Köhler & Leroy Owusu.
Randers FC (67.00)
Randers finished last in the championship group, and there are some doubts about whether Rasmus Bertelsen can lead them to those heights in the coming season. Key central midfielder Lasse Berg Johnsen has been purchased by Malmø while wingers Tosin Kehinde and Jacob Ankersen are leaving as well. The only notable incoming player is centre back Wessel Dammers, so more activity is expected.
Silkeborg IF (67.00)
The bronze winners from 2021/22 had a horrible end to the 22/23 season, losing themselves all the way into relegation danger towards the end of the season. The club now hopes to get back on track, and has followed tradition by picking up some of the best players from the second-best leagues. They have brought in two of the profiles of promoted Hvidovre in Frederik Carlsen and Andreas Pyndt, alongside Jacob Pryts and Callum McCowatt. Winger Sebastian Jørgensen, was a part of their lethal attacking trio in 21/22, but showed much less last season, and has now been sold to Malmø. They still have a very set possession-style of play, which fits their plastic pitch, so they should be strong enough at home to avoid too much relegation danger.
Lyngby (501.00)
After an amazing great escape last season, Lyngby is narrowly favoured to stay up ahead of the two promoted sides, but they are expected to be part of another close relegation battle. They have lost winger Sebastian Koch, but has signed winger Jonathan Amon + central defender/striker Magnus Jensen from relegated AC Horsens. Coach Freyr Alexandersson hopes that his two Icelandic offensive players Alfred Finnbogason and Sævar Atli Magnusson can continue to deliver.
Vejle (751.00)
The elevator club of Danish football in recent decades return to the top flight after a year's absence. They convinced West Ham to loan goalkeeper Nathan Trott for another year, with Musa Juwara and Igor Vekic joining the club as well. No significant absences either, so they hope the side who won the second tier can help them prosper in the top flight.
Hvidovre (1501.00)
A short adventure in the Superliga is expected for the surprise promoted side from the Copenhagen environs. Losing key players Frederik Carlsen and Andreas Pyndt surely hasn't helped their chances, but they have been able to convince some other good second tier players to join the club. Mathias Gehrt, Nicolai Geertsen, Jeffrey Papa, Mads Kaalund and Adrian Kappenberger are joining the club.
After an amazing great escape last season, Lyngby is narrowly favoured to stay up ahead of the two promoted sides, but they are expected to be part of another close relegation battle. They have lost winger Sebastian Koch, but has signed winger Jonathan Amon + central defender/striker Magnus Jensen from relegated AC Horsens. Coach Freyr Alexandersson hopes that his two Icelandic offensive players Alfred Finnbogason and Sævar Atli Magnusson can continue to deliver.
Vejle (751.00)
The elevator club of Danish football in recent decades return to the top flight after a year's absence. They convinced West Ham to loan goalkeeper Nathan Trott for another year, with Musa Juwara and Igor Vekic joining the club as well. No significant absences either, so they hope the side who won the second tier can help them prosper in the top flight.
Hvidovre (1501.00)
A short adventure in the Superliga is expected for the surprise promoted side from the Copenhagen environs. Losing key players Frederik Carlsen and Andreas Pyndt surely hasn't helped their chances, but they have been able to convince some other good second tier players to join the club. Mathias Gehrt, Nicolai Geertsen, Jeffrey Papa, Mads Kaalund and Adrian Kappenberger are joining the club.
In the second tier, the league winner odds are the following: AaB 1.45, AC Horsens 7.00, SønderjyskE 8.00, Vendsyssel 17.00, Fredericia 34.00, Næstved 34.00, Kolding 51.00, FC Helsingør 51.00, HB Køge 67.00, Hobro 126.00, Hillerød 151.00, B93 151.00.
Relegated AaB is of course huge favourites to win the second tier, while their fellow relegators Horsens are expected to be in a tough battle with SønderjyskE for the second spot. Promoted side Kolding is expeced to get up in the middle pack with their strong, physical set-piece game, while B93 is expected to go back down. HB Køge is in some financial difficulties, and their prominent coaching duo Daniel Agger and Lars Jacobsen have left citing that they were promised bigger investments, but instead saw a cut-down budget in their two years there.
Relegated AaB is of course huge favourites to win the second tier, while their fellow relegators Horsens are expected to be in a tough battle with SønderjyskE for the second spot. Promoted side Kolding is expeced to get up in the middle pack with their strong, physical set-piece game, while B93 is expected to go back down. HB Køge is in some financial difficulties, and their prominent coaching duo Daniel Agger and Lars Jacobsen have left citing that they were promised bigger investments, but instead saw a cut-down budget in their two years there.
Some of the expected transfers have taken place in recent days.
FCK sold Haraldsson for 12 mio euro to Lille, Brøndby sold Hermansen to Leicester for 5,8 mio euro and FCM saw Ashour return to Egypt for 2,7 mio euro.
FCN has purchased Rocco Ascone permanently, while FCK has purchased young AaB goalkeeper Theo Sander for a bit above 1 mio euro. He was thrown in as a starter last season at just 17 years old, and made several notable mistakes. So a tough start to the Superliga for him, but he also showed some of his big potential.
FCK sold Haraldsson for 12 mio euro to Lille, Brøndby sold Hermansen to Leicester for 5,8 mio euro and FCM saw Ashour return to Egypt for 2,7 mio euro.
FCN has purchased Rocco Ascone permanently, while FCK has purchased young AaB goalkeeper Theo Sander for a bit above 1 mio euro. He was thrown in as a starter last season at just 17 years old, and made several notable mistakes. So a tough start to the Superliga for him, but he also showed some of his big potential.
The five expected strong teams all pulled out victories in the first round of the season, and this week three of them start their European adventures as well. The rumours of a record sale for FCN did not diminish after a hattrick by Ernest Nuamah in the side's 4-1 victory against Viborg.
FC København purchased Viborg's best offensive player, winger Elias Achouri, for 3 mio euro with 0,5 potential bonuses. AGF has loaned NT national goalie Bailey Peacock-Farrell, and if he impresses, he could be the long-term replacement of the aging Jesper Hansen.
FC København purchased Viborg's best offensive player, winger Elias Achouri, for 3 mio euro with 0,5 potential bonuses. AGF has loaned NT national goalie Bailey Peacock-Farrell, and if he impresses, he could be the long-term replacement of the aging Jesper Hansen.
FCK has signed another offensive profile, Norwegian NT player Mohamed Elyounoussi. So now it seems like the defending champions have enough quality and depth up front. There might still be the need for a left back and a defensive midfielder plus a new keeper if Kamil Grabara is sold.
AGF has signed centreback Tobias Anker from Vendsyssel while Viborg hope to have found their Achouri-replacement in Portugese winger Serginho from Estoril.
FCN won 3-1 in Aarhus in the first internal battle between the expected G5 of this season. Brøndby surprisingly lost at home to OB, while both FCM and FCK picked up another victory. Promoted side Hvidovre got their first point in Randers.
AGF has signed centreback Tobias Anker from Vendsyssel while Viborg hope to have found their Achouri-replacement in Portugese winger Serginho from Estoril.
FCN won 3-1 in Aarhus in the first internal battle between the expected G5 of this season. Brøndby surprisingly lost at home to OB, while both FCM and FCK picked up another victory. Promoted side Hvidovre got their first point in Randers.
Last season's top two, FCK and FCN, have both started the season with maximum points after three matches. Particularly impressive by FCN who beat another of the five big teams, Brøndby, 3-1 at home. FCM rested several key players in Lyngby after their extra time adventure in Luxembourg, and just six minutes in they received a straight red card. Lyngby therefore ended up as comfortable 4-1 winners. In the bottom, the two promoted sides, Hvidovre and Vejle, have gotten the expected difficult starts.
FCM has sold their biggest star, winger/second striker Gustav Isaksen, to Lazio for around 12 mio euro. One would expect them to purchase a significant player to replace him up front, where his pace and finishing will be missed. FCN has purchased Lyngby's big talent, 20-year old central defender Lucas Hey, for around 2 mio euro.
1. FC Nordsjælland 9 p
2. FC København 9p
3. AGF 6p
4. FC Midtjylland 6p
5. Lyngby 4p
6. OB 4p
----------------------------
7. Viborg 4p
8. Brøndby 3p
9. Silkeborg 3p
10. Randers 2p
11. Hvidovre 1p
12. Vejle 0p
FCM has sold their biggest star, winger/second striker Gustav Isaksen, to Lazio for around 12 mio euro. One would expect them to purchase a significant player to replace him up front, where his pace and finishing will be missed. FCN has purchased Lyngby's big talent, 20-year old central defender Lucas Hey, for around 2 mio euro.
1. FC Nordsjælland 9 p
2. FC København 9p
3. AGF 6p
4. FC Midtjylland 6p
5. Lyngby 4p
6. OB 4p
----------------------------
7. Viborg 4p
8. Brøndby 3p
9. Silkeborg 3p
10. Randers 2p
11. Hvidovre 1p
12. Vejle 0p
Denmark's richest man become sole owner of FC Midtjylland
Today, FC Midtjylland announced that Anders Holch Povlsen has purchased the large majority of the shares in the club through his company Heartland. This marks the end of the succesful reign of Matthew Benham, who also owns Brentford. Benham purchased the share majority in the club in July 2014. Since then the club has won its first three Danish titles, its first two Danish cups as well as reaching a CL group stage and three EL group stages.
Heartland and Holch Povlsen purchased 25% of the shares in 2021, and now he has purchased almost all of the remaining shares, so he owns 95.5% of the shares. Holch Povlsen is the richest man in Denmark with a wealth of around 7.3 billion dollars. He is the owner and CEO of clothing and accessories company Bestseller, which his parents founded in 1975.
Heartland has also purchased the share majority in Portuguese club C.D. Mafra, in the second tier, with whom FC Midtjylland has cooperated for some time already with loaning several players out. Recently, FIFA has made rules banning loaning too many players out, so FCM they have started "selling" several young players to Mafra, whom everyone knows will return to FC Midtjylland when needed.
The club states they will keep the access and coopeation with Benham's data company SmartOdds.
They also announced they will start a women's team in 2024.
Today, FC Midtjylland announced that Anders Holch Povlsen has purchased the large majority of the shares in the club through his company Heartland. This marks the end of the succesful reign of Matthew Benham, who also owns Brentford. Benham purchased the share majority in the club in July 2014. Since then the club has won its first three Danish titles, its first two Danish cups as well as reaching a CL group stage and three EL group stages.
Heartland and Holch Povlsen purchased 25% of the shares in 2021, and now he has purchased almost all of the remaining shares, so he owns 95.5% of the shares. Holch Povlsen is the richest man in Denmark with a wealth of around 7.3 billion dollars. He is the owner and CEO of clothing and accessories company Bestseller, which his parents founded in 1975.
Heartland has also purchased the share majority in Portuguese club C.D. Mafra, in the second tier, with whom FC Midtjylland has cooperated for some time already with loaning several players out. Recently, FIFA has made rules banning loaning too many players out, so FCM they have started "selling" several young players to Mafra, whom everyone knows will return to FC Midtjylland when needed.
The club states they will keep the access and coopeation with Benham's data company SmartOdds.
They also announced they will start a women's team in 2024.
After the fourth round of the Superliga, the five expected top teams occupy the five top spots in the league. Both FCK and FCN have maximum points after the first four rounds, and it could be another tight championship battle between the two sides. Hopefully alongside successful European campaigns.
OB has sold winger Emmanuel Sabbi to le Havre, Brøndby has purchased attacking midfielder Yuito Suzuki and finally a new goalkeeper in the shape of Patrick Pentz from Leverkusen, FCK has brought in Norwegian NT left-back Birger Meling from Rennes, Silkeborg has sold talented left-back Lukas Engel to Middlesbrough, Viborg has sold talented right-back Anton Gaeii to Ajax in a record sale for 4.5 mio euro and FCM sold striker Sory Kaba to Las Palmas. Finally, Lyngby has a change of Icelandic strikers. The experienced Alfred Finnbogason goes to Eupen, and is replaced by Andri Gudjohnsen.
OB has sold winger Emmanuel Sabbi to le Havre, Brøndby has purchased attacking midfielder Yuito Suzuki and finally a new goalkeeper in the shape of Patrick Pentz from Leverkusen, FCK has brought in Norwegian NT left-back Birger Meling from Rennes, Silkeborg has sold talented left-back Lukas Engel to Middlesbrough, Viborg has sold talented right-back Anton Gaeii to Ajax in a record sale for 4.5 mio euro and FCM sold striker Sory Kaba to Las Palmas. Finally, Lyngby has a change of Icelandic strikers. The experienced Alfred Finnbogason goes to Eupen, and is replaced by Andri Gudjohnsen.
A flurry of late activity with plenty of interesting signings from several of the top teams, but the biggest name of all was another Icelandic addition to the Lyngby colony. Gylfi Sigurdsson, the former Everton and Tottenham player, has signed a one-year deal with the club. If he can get anything close to his former qualities, he will be a big Superliga profile. Lyngby signed another experienced player, Spanish central defender Marc Muniesa
Out of the Superliga, we saw the biggest sale ever with FCN getting 25 mio euro for letting Ernest Nuamah go to Lyon (going through Molenbeek to avoid some transfer rule). FCN loaned two very talented players to help replace him this season. One of them is Andreas Schelderup, who was sold for a big amount to Benfica only six months ago, but has found it hard getting any playtime. They have also loaned Christian Rasmussen in Ajax.
AGF, sold central defender Thomas Kristensen to Udinese for 3 mio. euro. They thought they could bring in Mads Bech to replace Kristensen, but at the last minute, FCM intervened and convinced him to join them instead. Instead AGF have to make do with Mats Knoester from Ferencvaros
And FCM has been very active. They signed Chilean wonderkid Dario Osorio for 5.2 mio euro from Universidad de Chile, and Norwegian NT striker Ola Brynhildsen from Molde. Additionally, they brought in right-back Adam Gabriel from Sparta Prague and FC Seoul centre-back Han-beom Lee.
Brøndby signed striker Emmanuel Yeboah from CFR Cluj, while letting Simon Hedlund go to Elfsborg. Back Blas Riveros was sold to CA Talleres, while Sean Klaiber was purchased from Utrecht
FCK did not spend all their CL money, only a loan move for Mateo Tanlongo from Sporting CP.
OB signed experienced Swedish centre back Filip Helander, Viborg brought in central midfielder Jean Manuel Mbom from Werder Bremen and Hvidovre signed tall target man Simon Makienok, right-back Philip Rejnhold and central defender Malte Kiilerich
Out of the Superliga, we saw the biggest sale ever with FCN getting 25 mio euro for letting Ernest Nuamah go to Lyon (going through Molenbeek to avoid some transfer rule). FCN loaned two very talented players to help replace him this season. One of them is Andreas Schelderup, who was sold for a big amount to Benfica only six months ago, but has found it hard getting any playtime. They have also loaned Christian Rasmussen in Ajax.
AGF, sold central defender Thomas Kristensen to Udinese for 3 mio. euro. They thought they could bring in Mads Bech to replace Kristensen, but at the last minute, FCM intervened and convinced him to join them instead. Instead AGF have to make do with Mats Knoester from Ferencvaros
And FCM has been very active. They signed Chilean wonderkid Dario Osorio for 5.2 mio euro from Universidad de Chile, and Norwegian NT striker Ola Brynhildsen from Molde. Additionally, they brought in right-back Adam Gabriel from Sparta Prague and FC Seoul centre-back Han-beom Lee.
Brøndby signed striker Emmanuel Yeboah from CFR Cluj, while letting Simon Hedlund go to Elfsborg. Back Blas Riveros was sold to CA Talleres, while Sean Klaiber was purchased from Utrecht
FCK did not spend all their CL money, only a loan move for Mateo Tanlongo from Sporting CP.
OB signed experienced Swedish centre back Filip Helander, Viborg brought in central midfielder Jean Manuel Mbom from Werder Bremen and Hvidovre signed tall target man Simon Makienok, right-back Philip Rejnhold and central defender Malte Kiilerich
After seven games played, it's time for the national break.
The league table looks like this.
1. FCK 18p
2. FCN 16p
3. Brøndby 15p
4. Silkeborg 13p
5. AGF 12p
6. FCM 10p
----------------------
7. OB 8p
8. Lyngby 8p
9. Viborg 8p
10. Randers 5p
-----------------------
11. Vejle 3p
12. Hvidovre 2p
FCK's strong start means that the bookies now have them even stronger favourites for the title, down at 1.50. FCN and Brøndby looks like the closest rivals with odds of 6.00 and 7.50. With the quality shown by FCN, I might have thought their odds would be even lower, but now they also have to play a European group stage with good chances of progressing. AGF are at odds 16.00, while the last of the big five, FCM, are at odds 25.00 after a wobbly start and changing half the squad. Silkeborg are at odds 40.00.
In terms of relegation, the two promoted clubs are still favoured to go back down. Hvidovre at odds 1.15 and Vejle at 1.30. Randers' poor start have seen their odds drop to 4.25, Lyngby is at 4.50 while Viborg and OB is at 10.00. Silkeborg with 40.00, equally likely as a title for them
The league table looks like this.
1. FCK 18p
2. FCN 16p
3. Brøndby 15p
4. Silkeborg 13p
5. AGF 12p
6. FCM 10p
----------------------
7. OB 8p
8. Lyngby 8p
9. Viborg 8p
10. Randers 5p
-----------------------
11. Vejle 3p
12. Hvidovre 2p
FCK's strong start means that the bookies now have them even stronger favourites for the title, down at 1.50. FCN and Brøndby looks like the closest rivals with odds of 6.00 and 7.50. With the quality shown by FCN, I might have thought their odds would be even lower, but now they also have to play a European group stage with good chances of progressing. AGF are at odds 16.00, while the last of the big five, FCM, are at odds 25.00 after a wobbly start and changing half the squad. Silkeborg are at odds 40.00.
In terms of relegation, the two promoted clubs are still favoured to go back down. Hvidovre at odds 1.15 and Vejle at 1.30. Randers' poor start have seen their odds drop to 4.25, Lyngby is at 4.50 while Viborg and OB is at 10.00. Silkeborg with 40.00, equally likely as a title for them
The 3rd round of the Danish Cup was played this mid-week.
All eleven of the Superliga sides, who have played their games, managed to get through. So the biggest casualty was AaB, the top side in the second tier.
But several of the Superliga sides were pushed hard. The biggest surprise was FCN having to go all the way to penalties to defeat Kolding. Randers was 3-1 down, but turned the game around to 4-3 before a 4-4 goal meant penalties. Lyngby needed extra time to get past HB Køge, and Viborg was down 3-2 in Esbjerg until the 80th minute.
TST Fodbold (6) 0–7 Vejle (1)
HB Køge (2) 2–4 (a.e.t.) Lyngby (1)
AaB (2) 2–3 Fredericia (2)
Vanløse (4) 1–3 (a.e.t.) Ishøj IF (4)
FA2000 (3) 2–3 (a.e.t.) AB Gladsaxe (3)
Aarhus Fremad (3) 1–2 Helsingør (2)
Hobro IK (2) 0–1 OB (1)
Næstved BK (2) 0–2 FC Midtjylland (1)
B93 (2) 4–4 (a.e.t.)(3–5 p) Randers (1)
HIK (3) 0–3 Brøndby (1)
Thisted FC (3) 1–3 Silkeborg IF (1)
Esbjerg FB (3) 3–4 Viborg FF (1)
IF Lyseng (4) 0–9 FC Copenhagen (1)
Kolding IF (2) 2–2 (a.e.t.)(2–3 p) FC Nordsjælland (1)
Nykøbing FC (3) 0–1 AGF (1)
Viby IF (5) v Hvidovre IF (1)
The draw has been made for the fourth round.
Of the favourites, AGF clearly got the best draw against the lowly-ranked Ishøj-side.
All the other favourites got fairly tough draws. FCN and Brøndby drew other Superliga sides away, and FCK and FCM drawing each other.
Silkeborg is in very good shape, and did also (probably) draw a Superliga side away, but among them Hvidovre is of course the best to draw. It was instead three of the less fancied Superliga sides, who drew lower tier sides.
AB Gladsaxe (3) v Vejle (1)
Helsingør (2) v Lyngby (1)
Viby (5)\ Hvidovre (1) v Silkeborg (1)
Viborg (1) v FC Nordsjælland (1)
Fredericia (2) v OB (1)
Randers (1) v Brøndby (1)
Ishøj (4) v AGF (1)
FC Copenhagen (1) v FC Midtjylland (1)
All eleven of the Superliga sides, who have played their games, managed to get through. So the biggest casualty was AaB, the top side in the second tier.
But several of the Superliga sides were pushed hard. The biggest surprise was FCN having to go all the way to penalties to defeat Kolding. Randers was 3-1 down, but turned the game around to 4-3 before a 4-4 goal meant penalties. Lyngby needed extra time to get past HB Køge, and Viborg was down 3-2 in Esbjerg until the 80th minute.
TST Fodbold (6) 0–7 Vejle (1)
HB Køge (2) 2–4 (a.e.t.) Lyngby (1)
AaB (2) 2–3 Fredericia (2)
Vanløse (4) 1–3 (a.e.t.) Ishøj IF (4)
FA2000 (3) 2–3 (a.e.t.) AB Gladsaxe (3)
Aarhus Fremad (3) 1–2 Helsingør (2)
Hobro IK (2) 0–1 OB (1)
Næstved BK (2) 0–2 FC Midtjylland (1)
B93 (2) 4–4 (a.e.t.)(3–5 p) Randers (1)
HIK (3) 0–3 Brøndby (1)
Thisted FC (3) 1–3 Silkeborg IF (1)
Esbjerg FB (3) 3–4 Viborg FF (1)
IF Lyseng (4) 0–9 FC Copenhagen (1)
Kolding IF (2) 2–2 (a.e.t.)(2–3 p) FC Nordsjælland (1)
Nykøbing FC (3) 0–1 AGF (1)
Viby IF (5) v Hvidovre IF (1)
The draw has been made for the fourth round.
Of the favourites, AGF clearly got the best draw against the lowly-ranked Ishøj-side.
All the other favourites got fairly tough draws. FCN and Brøndby drew other Superliga sides away, and FCK and FCM drawing each other.
Silkeborg is in very good shape, and did also (probably) draw a Superliga side away, but among them Hvidovre is of course the best to draw. It was instead three of the less fancied Superliga sides, who drew lower tier sides.
AB Gladsaxe (3) v Vejle (1)
Helsingør (2) v Lyngby (1)
Viby (5)\ Hvidovre (1) v Silkeborg (1)
Viborg (1) v FC Nordsjælland (1)
Fredericia (2) v OB (1)
Randers (1) v Brøndby (1)
Ishøj (4) v AGF (1)
FC Copenhagen (1) v FC Midtjylland (1)
FCK lost at home to FCM, and FCN have dropped points twice in a row against the two bottom sides. This means the league standings has come a bit more together. AGF, who looked strong in the early matches, seem to have entered a sluggish period. And alarm bells are going off in OB after four league defeats in a row, including home defeats to Vejle and Lyngby. Manager Andreas Alm must be under severe pressure.
Standings after 10 matches:
1. FCK 22p
2. Brøndby 21p
3. FCN 19p
4. Silkeborg 19p
5. FCM 17p
6. Lyngby 15p
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7. AGF 13p
8. Viborg 12p
9. Randers 12p
10. OB 8p
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11. Vejle 5
12. Hvidovre 3p
Standings after 10 matches:
1. FCK 22p
2. Brøndby 21p
3. FCN 19p
4. Silkeborg 19p
5. FCM 17p
6. Lyngby 15p
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7. AGF 13p
8. Viborg 12p
9. Randers 12p
10. OB 8p
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11. Vejle 5
12. Hvidovre 3p
@DanishScout_ has posted the following illuminating stats on X:
On xG differential, Hvidovre and Vejle are as poor as their league positions indicate. Randers and Viborg are the closest to the bottom in terms of performances, but both already have a 7 point lead to 11th spot, so it doesn't look like a tight relegation battle for either so far. The top three teams are the same as from the league table, but with FCN a fair bit ahead. Perhaps mostly due to their amazing play in the first couple of league matches, where they created so many chances.
FCN by far the team with the most passes. Silkeborg is usually very high as well, but they are now 'only' at third place, in between FCK and Brøndby, illustrating a slightly more counter-focused approach from them, which league topscorer Alexander Lind has benefited from. AGF is unsurprisingly the most direct among the good teams, while the two promoted sides are also more direct than the rest of the league.
The three top sides also dominate the chart of most balls won high on the opposite half, with this being one of the few aspects where FCM looks like a top team. While Silkeborg's more counter-based style is also seen from fewer high pressures.
Vejle is by far the most brutal side in their fight to stay up.
On xG differential, Hvidovre and Vejle are as poor as their league positions indicate. Randers and Viborg are the closest to the bottom in terms of performances, but both already have a 7 point lead to 11th spot, so it doesn't look like a tight relegation battle for either so far. The top three teams are the same as from the league table, but with FCN a fair bit ahead. Perhaps mostly due to their amazing play in the first couple of league matches, where they created so many chances.
FCN by far the team with the most passes. Silkeborg is usually very high as well, but they are now 'only' at third place, in between FCK and Brøndby, illustrating a slightly more counter-focused approach from them, which league topscorer Alexander Lind has benefited from. AGF is unsurprisingly the most direct among the good teams, while the two promoted sides are also more direct than the rest of the league.
The three top sides also dominate the chart of most balls won high on the opposite half, with this being one of the few aspects where FCM looks like a top team. While Silkeborg's more counter-based style is also seen from fewer high pressures.
Vejle is by far the most brutal side in their fight to stay up.