Horsens to prove tough test

We can expect an intense atmosphere when AC Horsens meet FC Copenhagen on Saturday night. Horsens are third in the league, only four points behind first-place FCK, and will be looking to use their home advantage to close in on their Superliga title rivals.

by Joe Short

Copenhagen and Horsens have met 16 times in competition. Horsens have won two matches, only one has been drawn, and so Copenhagen have won the other 13.

Given that Copenhagen have won 13 of the matches, their aggregate score is obviously in heavy favour for the Lion's, and going into Saturday’s game it stands 32-13.

Morten Nordstrand is the FCK man who has scored most times, with four goals to his name against Den Gule Fare. César Santin follows with three goals, while a few more outstanding FCK players have scored against Saturday’s opposition: Mathias Zanka (2), Martin Vingaard (2), Christian Bolaños, Thomas Delaney, Thomas Kristensen and Sölvi Ottesen.

As a footnote, it should be added that Nordstrand has actually scored twice against Horsens while playing for FC Nordsjælland. Dame N'Doye has not scored against Saturday's opponents, but could very well do so this weekend.

Last season's two visits to Horsens

Copenhagen and Horsens played four times last season. Horsens won 4-2 in the only non-league clash in the last 16 of the DBU Cup, while it was Copenhagen who yielded the most points in the league; the Lions recording two wins and a draw.

Two of the matches were played at the CASA Arena in Horsens. The first match came in late August, where the home crowd celebrated an early goal from Niels Lodberg. However, they came away from the stadium deflated as goals from Sölvi Ottesen and Martin Vingaard secured a 2-1 victory for FCK.

The second showdown in Horsens was the fourth and final fight between the sides, and again an early goal was scored. This time, however, it was Copenhagen’s turn to take the lead when Thomas Delaney tapped home. Horsens refused to surrender however and just 11 minutes after conceding the home side equalised through Gilberto Macena. The game finished 1-1.

Horsens: the season so far

Horsens has never before in Superliga history been as high as third place come the fifth round of games. However, they do now after a fine start to the league. Horsens began the season well with a 3-0 over HB Køge, and then took a point away from OB a week later. The following week Den Gule Fare delivered a near-perfect performance against Brøndby, winning 4-1 away from home.

Since then they have been a little quieter on the points tally, but have still recorded points in every round. In their fourth game they drew 3-3 against AaB at home, and last weekend they battled out a 1-1 draw away to Lyngby BK. As yet they are undefeated.

Therefore the club has nine points from two wins and three draws, and with an impressive goal difference of 12-4. The 12 goals scored is particularly impressive, considering that only last year they scored just 29 goals in a full season.

New signing Henrik Toft is, with three goals, Horsens' top scorer, followed by Gilberto Macena and Lasse Kryger, both having scored two.