PREVIEW: WEEKEND DANISH ACTION David Smith - Friday, September 11, 2009
Danny Califf hope to use Midtjylland' homefield advantage to scrounge a win over Michael Parkhust's Nordsjælland while Jeremiah White and Benny Feilhaber try to keep AGF's streak alive.
FC Midtjylland - FC Nordsjælland
With Midtjylland's season quickly heading into a tailspin on their current three-game losing streak, Danny Califf will face fellow American Michael Parkhurst and likewise slumping Nordsjælland on Saturday afternoon.
As both teams find themselves mired in three-game losing streaks in the league, the high hopes held by both in the pre-season have slowly given way to disappointment as each try to find a way to gain any positive result.
The international break may have come at a perfect time for each as they have been able to test out new tactics without the pressure of the rigorous Superliga schedule, most notably with Wild Tigers' central defender Parkhurst getting a run-out in the midfield in a midweek test game.
Nordsjælland made a couple of additions to the team at the tail-end of the transfer window, picking up Swedish full back Pierre Bengtsson from Allsvenskan club AIK and defender Andreas Bjelland from First Division club Lyngby.
Coach Morten Wieghorst will be hoping for no mishaps in goal, however, since both backup Jesper Hansen and third-string David Jensen fell to injuries during the break; the former to miss 3-4 weeks with a broken thumb and the latter out with a broken foot.
In addition, the close of the transfer window saw forward Issey Nakajima-Farran depart for AC Horsens and young forward Andreas Granskov head off on loan for one year to AB Copenhagen.
The team also sadly confirmed the end of defender Jonathan Richter's career due to complications arising from his lightening strike earlier in the season.
Wolves coach Allan Kuhn secured the services of forward Ken Ilsø from SønderjyskE before the end of the transfer window, but will be without forward Baba Collins and midfielder Adigun Salami for Saturday's game as both are still recovering from injury.
Brøndby IF - AGF Aarhus
Benny Feilhaber and Jeremiah White will hope that the Aarhus have not lost any of their steam during the international break as they hit the road to take on free-scoring Brøndby on Sunday.
After a slight lull in play saw them drop out of the Danish Cup only days after a lackluster draw against Silkeborg, the Whites showed their strong start was no fluke when they handily put down Nordsjælland on the eve of the pause.
Sunday's opponents Brøndby represent a tougher test, as they have put together a three game unbeaten run in the league which included a wild 6-1 thrashing of hapless Køge, and have slowly worked their way up to sixth place after an uncharacteristically slow start.
Aarhus were fortunate to not have any of their international departures pick up any injuries, and will also see the return of defender Dan Thomassen to the field after missing time due to a sprained ankle.
Defenders Mark Howard and Ulrik Lindkvist are however doubtful to take the field as they are still recovering from slight injuries.
Brøndby are reporting no injuries or suspensions heading into the game.
FC Roskilde - FC Vestsjælland
After pulling out of their season-opening slump with a pair of big victories, Jamil Fearrington and Roskilde will try to make it three in a row when they host FC Vestsjælland on Sunday.
A trio of opening losses had the season taking an air of impending disaster for Fearrington and his teammates, however a run against two teams floating near the bottom of the standings offered them the chance to get their house in order.
After taking both wins, they now face the first true test to their momentum when they host fifth-place Vestsjælland, who are putting on a surprising show of force with three victories from their first five games after just being promoted from the Second Division East.
Roskilde defender Jannick Larsen is questionable after having missed last weekend's win over Kolding, however neither team is reporting any suspensions or injuries otherwise.
Notes
Marcus Tracy will hope to find his way onto Aalborg's bench when they make the trip to still-winless Randers on Monday evening, with an eye at the top of the standings.
Currently visting YA: 368 
See these related articles
