Preview: Odense vs. Randers - prediction, team news, lineups

Odense will begin their quest for a top-half finish in the Danish Superliga when they welcome Randers to Nature Energy Park on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts missed out on the top six last term and will be hoping to improve this season, whilst Randers are aiming to compete in the upper echelons of the division.

Match preview

Odense head into the 2023-24 campaign following an eighth-placed finish in the Superliga last season, however things could have turned out so much better.

A trip to Midtjylland met Odense on the final day, although a 4-2 loss meant the hosts at the MCH Arena on June 3 qualified for the Europa Conference League qualification match after securing seventh.

Andreas Alm is entering his third full campaign in charge at Nature Energy Park, and the Swede will be looking to guide his men to the top half for the first time since 2018-19.

Emmanuel Sabbi was a standout performer for the Fynbos last term, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in just 19 Superliga appearances - a career-high tally for the American.

Randers managed to sneak into the top six last term but ended up in sixth after a poor end to the campaign which saw them win just two of their last 10 league matches.

A 4-1 defeat to German outfit St Pauli on July 4 was a less-than ideal start to pre-season for the Horses, however 1-0 success over fellow Superliga side Lyngby on July 8 - courtesy of a Stephen Odey strike - has raised spirits.

Rasmus Bertelsen has been promoted from his role of assistant coach to take the reins of the first team following the departure of Thomas Thomasberg in March, although the veteran's time in charge could be under threat if his side get off to a slow start this term.

With clashes against newly-promoted Hvidovre and champions Copenhagen to come after a trip to Nature Energy Park, this weekend's meeting with Odense should act as a real yardstick for Randers.

Team News

Odense are set to hand a Superliga debut to Mohamed Buya Turay following his arrival after he left Malmo in March - the 28-year-old previously won the Swedish Allsvenskan Golden Boot award during his spell at Djurgardens IF.

The Fynbos have also dipped into the Dutch market this summer, recruiting Leeroy Owusu and Rami Al Hajj from Willem II and Heerenveen respectively.

Randers have a couple of injury concerns ahead of their season opener on Sunday, with right-back Mikkel Kallesoe a doubt for the clash due to a knock.

One player who will definitely miss out for the visitors is Frederik Lauenborg, with the Dane expected to be sidelined until October because of a cruciate ligament injury.

Odense possible starting lineup:

Hansen; Mickelson; Slotsager; Grubbe, Adelgaard; Manneh, Lassen, Mucolli, Horneman, Sabbi; Turay

Randers possible starting lineup:

Calgren; Kopplin, Andersson, Kastrup, Kudsk; Enggard; Babayan, Kristensen, Pedersen, Klysner; Odey

We say: Odense 1-0 Randers

Odense have seen plenty of changes over the summer, but with the attacking addition of Turay, the Fynbos could finally earn a top-half finish this term.

Randers face a tricky assignment in bouncing back from very poor form at the end of last season, and we believe the visitors will get off to a losing start at Nature Energy Park on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.