Match Previews

Stabaek in the ascendancy in this tie... Strong scoring record domestically but are liable to concede... No registered injuries... Norwegian league leaders Stabaek IF travel to Brittany on Thursday evening with a very realistic shot of qualifying for the UEFA Cup group stages as they carry a 2-1 lead into their match with Rennes. All is not necessarily rosy for the Bærum club as they lost a five match winning streak last week against Lyn and they have not kept a clean sheet in six matches. If this run is to extend to a seventh game then Stabaek will have to find a goal at the Stade Route de Lorient or they will be knocked out on away goals. Thankfully for Jan Jonsson’s side, they have proven more adept at scoring goals than conceding them. Stabaek have managed 16 goals in their last six matches, averaging nearly three a game. The quartet referred to as ‘the Fab Four’ will lead their attacking charge in France. Swedish forward Daniel Nannskog has been at the club since 2005 but has really excelled in the last two years. He has 47 goals in two and three-quarter seasons, a quite incredible tally. This is nearly matched by his strike partner, Veigar Pall Gunnarsson, who has 39 goals over the same period. From the midfield new signing this season Johan Andersson has managed eight league goals and is the freshest face in the group, replacing Somen Tchoyi, who has moved away from the club. Rather, Alanzinho, a Brazilian born left-winger with ambitions to play for Norway, is deemed worthy of a place in the quartet. He only has seven goals so far this term! Despite these threats in attack it was big defender Mike Kjolo who did the damage to a disorganised Rennes defence in the suburb of Oslo. Having played for the club since 2000, the night he scored a brace against the French contenders will be remembered as a highlight of his career. His job will simply be stopping the Bretons on Thursday evening. Stabaek are considered to have a full squad at their disposal at the present time.