Icelandic Football
2011-06-13 - Thor Akureyri vs FH Hafnarfjordur
A Sports Betting Pick by Cornholio
Football : Icelandic top league : Round 5
Monday June 13 2011, 18:30 (GMT)
This is a game from round 5 that was postponed twice, first due to weather and then the volcanic eruption in Grimsvotn halted all flight so that FH were not able to travel up north.
Thor have produced the two biggest upsets of the season so one is getting a bit nervous about analysing their games beforehand. FH, on the other hand, need to step their game up if they are to stay within reach of title hopes.
Thor Akureyri
After round 6 big loss (4-1) against Grindavik it seemed like Thor were doomed because their performances and style of play had been quite dubious. Then, all of a sudden, a whole different set of tactics was seen in round 7 against a strong side of IBV. Thor tightened up, let go of the open play, let IBV have the ball and attacked them quite pysically instead. This worked perfectly and Thor won the game 2-1.
It seems that these kind of tactics are needed for Thor, a side that doesn't have the ability to play with high pressure and one to one passing. Will this also work against FH, which are most certainly not much (if any) weaker than IBV. I really can't say but the different will be that FH will have seen Thor's setup against IBV and will be prepared. This is something IBV didn't expect.
Thor have now played two games at home, losing to Stjarnan and winning IBV. They have only scored 2 goals, which makes it even more noticeable that they managed to score 2 against IBV who have one of the strongest defenses in the league. Thor have conceded in every game, except against Fram who's offense has been the worse in the league. Keeping a clean sheet against FH's fast play on the flanks would be a great achievement and really is unlikely.
FH Hafnarfjordur
One could argue that FH should've beaten KR Reykjavik in the last round after being the stronger side for the first part of the game and then missing a penalty kick. The fact that they then went on losing 2-0 should send them into the game against Thor quite hungry for an important vicory before the break.
It's interesting that FH's start this season is exactly the same as last season where they also had lost 10 points after the first six rounds. In comparison they only lost a total of 9 points in the first six rounds in the years 2005-2009 (that's 9 points out of 90).
But, still, they finished 2nd last season so keep that in mind. FH will get their engines going sooner than later and this game could well be the turning point for them. They will know how Thor changed their tactics against IBV and will provide an antidot for that.
FH are yet to win an away match having lost two and drawn one scoring only 1 goal. They won't get a better chance than against Thor to get their away record going. FH have scored in 4 games of 6 but failed to score against Valur and KR, the strongest defense in the league (Valur) and the top placed team (KR).
If FH finally manages to bring back their fighting spirits they surely will not go home empty handed from this game.
Head to head
Only one game in recent years. FH won 3-2 in the pre-season cup 2008 on neutral grounds.
