Randers will be looking to continue their winning start to the new Danish Superliga campaign when they play host to Viborg FF on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Viborg also avoided defeat on matchday one and will have every confidence of earning something from the game at the Randers Stadium.
Match preview
© Imago
Having won the relegation round of the Danish Superliga in 2023-24, it is fair to say that Randers had some momentum heading into this season.
Although they lost 2-1 to Copenhagen in the European playoff, winning five of their 10 relegation round fixtures of the campaign was an impressive feat given that they had finished 10th out of 12 teams in the regular season.
Rasmus Bertelsen has remained at the helm and overseen a positive pre-season schedule that ended with success over German side Hansa Rostock.
That was carried over into their season opener at Vejle, Randers overturning a half-time deficit to run out 3-2 victors courtesy of Tammer Bany's last-gasp goal.
The Horses are now tasked with facing a side that finished just one point adrift of them in last season's relegation round.
On that occasion, Viborg lost three of their final four games to give up top spot, stoking the fire in Jakub Poulsen's squad for 2024-25.
Facing Brondby, who finish second in the Championship round, in the first fixture was far from ideal, yet they came away with a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw.
Nevertheless, there was nothing but frustration after Viborg led on three occasions and conceded two goals after the 90th minute, with a strike of their own sandwiched in between.
Although positives can be taken from that encounter, Poulsen knows that he has work ahead to get the disappointment out of his side's system.
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Team News
Having come off the substitutes' bench to score the winner last time out, 20-year-old forward Bany will hope to earn a chance down the middle of the Randers attack.
With Nikolas Dyhr suffering an injury against Vejle, Bjorn Kopplin could be asked to deputise at left-back.
Mohamed Toure is another option to come into the team having provided an assist on his debut.
Viborg could be forced into a change after Daniel Anyembe came off injured during the final quarter against Brondby.
Srdjan Kuzmic is in line to take his spot at right-back, while Isak Jensen is also pushing for a chance on the flank.
Randers possible starting lineup:
Izzo; Olsen, Hoegh, Dammers, Kopplin; Campbell, Bjorkengren, Enggaard, Nordli; Odey; Bany
Viborg FF possible starting lineup:
Lund; Kuzmic, Zaletel, Radic, Bundgaard; Jacobs, Gronning, Westergaard; Vester, Renato Junior, Serginho
We say: Randers 3-1 Viborg FF
With both teams having scored three times in their opening fixture, we are expecting goals in this contest. Viborg have enough about them to trouble their hosts, yet the momentum is with Randers, and we are backing them to record another thrilling victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
