St Johnstone vs Rosenborg preview

July 24, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

St Johnstone vs RosenborgHaving produced a major coup by recording a 1-0 victory in the first leg, St Johnstone need to finish the job and prove everyone the impressive display in Norway was no accident.

Rosenborg clearly underestimated their opponents at their Lerkendal Stadion, which has made their task of reaching the next stage difficult, but not impossible.

Despite being widely regarded as one of the weakest sides in the Scottish Premier League, St Johnstone have seriously raised the club’s profile over the last few years.

After ensuring European qualification through league finish two years back, the Saints largely impressed last term, achieving a third-place finish in Ranger-less SPL.

This has seen them qualify for Europe for the second year running, and following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Turkish Eskisehirspor last term, Tommy Wright’s men were predicted a tricky tie with Norwegian giants Rosenborg.

In spite of going through pre-season training unlike their opponents, St Johnstone produced a stunning performance in Trondheim to record a 1-0 win, as a result of which they are now 1.80 (4/5) with SkyBet to make it to the next stage, where they would face Minsk or Valetta.

While David Robertson continues his rehabilitation after breaking his leg, all other players are fit to face Rosenborg.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mannus – MacKay, Wright, Anderson, Scobbie – Millar, Cregg – Wotherspoon, McDonald, Hasselbaink – MacLean.

After winning back to back titles in 2009 and 2010, Rosenborg suffered a major downtrend in fortunes, finishing the last two league campaigns in third place.

However, it appears RBK are slowly returning to the right track, seeing as how they lead the race in Norwegian Eliteserien after 16 rounds.

Rosenborg decided to cash in on star striker Tarik Elyounoussi this summer, while Mohammed Isah and Daniel Holm left last winter, and Mike Jenssen and Tobias Mikkelsen were added to the ranks.

Team’s European campaign got off to a good start, with Per Hansen’s men having recorded a 9-3 aggregate win over Crusaders of Northern Ireland, but they were well below par in the first match against St Johnstone.

With the Norwegians likely to take the return leg much more seriously, there may be some value in betting on away win at odds of 2.00 (1/1) offered at Coral.

The visitors have no fresh injury worries at the moment, although new signing Jorgen Skjelvik remains sidelined through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Orlund – Gamboa, Reginiussen, Strandlberg, Dorsin – Svensson, Jensen, Berntsen – Mikkelsen, Nielsen, Chibuike.

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