Both Viborg FF and Lyngby Boldklub will be looking to bounce back from their respective opening-day defeats when they clash at the Energi Viborg Arena on Friday night in the Danish Superliga.
The Greens returned to league action by losing heavily to Nordsjaelland, while Lyngby were narrowly defeated by current champions Copenhagen on home soil.
Match preview
After a fourth-placed finish in the Superliga in 2022-23, the emphasis is now on Viborg to challenge the likes of Copenhagen and Nordsjaelland for the Danish crown, but that quest got off to a rocky start on Monday night.
The Greens arrived at the Right to Dream Park with ambitions of earning a statement maximum in their first match, although a hat-trick from Ernest Nuamah blew the visitors away in Farum, as they eventually lost 4-1.
Jacob Friis now has to pick up his men quickly for a clash under the lights at the Energi Viborg Arena - a venue where they lost only three in 16 matches last season.
Following a disappointing defeat at Nordsjaelland on Monday, Viborg sit bottom of the Superliga standings because of their goal difference, and fans will be expecting their side to get off the foot of the table this weekend.
With last season's top scorer Jay-Roy Grot making the switch to Kashiwa Reysol in February, there is a concern that the Greens will struggle in front of the net this term - winger Ibrahim Said is the only player who scored more than three goals for the club last season to remain in Viborg.
Having managed to stay in the Superliga on goal difference last season, Lyngby fans would have greatly appreciated when the Copenhagen circus pitched up at Lyngby Stadion on Saturday, but the hosts were unable to earn any points.
Goals either side of the half-time interval from Valdemar Lund and Diogo Goncalves put the Danish champions into a commanding lead after 55 minutes, and despite Alfred Finnbogason making the net ripple, Lyngby started their league campaign off with a defeat.
After the Royal Blues only scored 30 goals in 32 league matches last term - the lowest tally in the division - the summer window has seen the club look to bolster their attacking firepower, with former Nordsjaelland winger Jonathan Amon joining on free transfer.
Goalscoring responsibility was spread throughout the team in the 2022-23 campaign and Icelandic midfielder Saevar Atli Magnusson stepped up more than most, netting on six occasions as his side narrowly avoided relegation.
It has been nearly five years since Lyngby last tasted success against Viborg, with Mathias Hebo netting the only goal of a second-tier encounter back in November 2018.
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Team News
Viborg have a considerable amount of injury concerns heading into Friday night's clash, with Zan Zaletel and Mads Lauritsen both doubts due to their respective knocks.
Youngster Jakob Vester is set to miss the opening months of this Superliga campaign because of a broken foot suffered in July - the defender made fleeting appearances off the bench towards the end of the 2022-23 term.
Jeppe Gronning was an experienced figure in Viborg's engine room last campaign, but the 32-year-old is expected to be sidelined until early August.
Lyngby have welcomed new signing Amon into training recently following his injury, although it is believed that Tobias Storm will retain his place on the right flank for the visitors.
Magnus Jensen fought against the Royal Blues last term as he attempted to keep Horsens in the Superliga - the centre-back is now part of the Lyngby setup but is currently out injured.
Viborg FF possible starting lineup:
Pedersen; Anyembe, Burgy, Bonde; Gaaei, Westergaard, Sondergaard, Kristensen; Junior, Ementa, Said
Lyngby Boldklub possible starting lineup:
Kikkenborg; Gregor, Bjelland, Hey; Storm, Romer, Magnusson, Chukwuanim, Finnsson; Gytkjaer, Finnbogason
We say: Viborg FF 1-0 Lyngby Boldklub
Viborg started their Superliga campaign in a less-than-ideal manner last time out against Nordsjaelland, but a home clash with Lyngby should provide the Greens with an opportunity to bounce back.
The Royal Blues put up a good fight against champions Copenhagen on Saturday, although we believe the visitors will struggle at the Viborg Energi Arena on Friday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
