Icelandic champions face an impossible task after losing the first leg 5:0 in Norway, but they are looking to at least achieve a respectable result in the return leg. Rosenborg are on fire at the moment and even though coach Jan Jonsson is expected to make some changes to the starting line-up, they remain the favourites to win this match.

Mission impossible

One of the things Breidablik have become famous for is their constant bouncing back between Icelandic top two divisions, although the team managed to find some consistency of late and have won their first even league title in 2010. Having won the Icelandic Cup in 2009, Breidablik entered the Europa League qualifiers last season, but were soon eliminated having lost both games to Motherwell. The team are clearly weaker than last season, after key players Alfred Finnbogason and Elfar Helgason left for Lokeren and AEK respectively, so nobody was surprised to see the Blikar struggle on domestic stage this term. After 11 league rounds, Breidablik sit in 6th place, nine points behind leaders KR, so they clearly don’t look capable of stopping Rosenborg from recording another comfortable win.

Rosenborg already through

Rosenborg experienced major problems at the start of the season as the team needed some time to get used to departures of Steffen Iversen, Anthony Annan and Vadim Demidov, while the numerous injuries to the playing squad only made thing more difficult. However, new coach Jan Jonsson soon rallied the troops and RBK started showing a lot of improvement, winning six out of seven games in all competitions. The Norwegian champions proved their worth in the first leg of their tie with weak Breidablik and now they are expected to record another easy victory. RBK did lose to Stabaek at the weekend, but the team are still in pretty good spirits following the good run of results.

Coach Jonsson has hinted that he will rest several starters in Iceland, with Trond Olsen and Mushaga Bakenga set to start. New signing Awal Issah has traveled with the squad, but he is not available for selection.

Verdict

The first leg showed a big gulf in class between the two sides, and Breidablik clearly don’t look capable of stopping RBK from winning this game. The visitors will be weakened in Iceland, but should still be able to record a big win.

Our prediction: Rosenborg with -1 European handicap

Odds: 2.15 (23/20)

Bookmaker: Sportingbet