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Sports Mole previews Saturday's Swedish Allsvenskan clash between Degerfors and IFK Norrkoping, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Degerfors and IFK Norrkoping square off on Saturday looking for a win would bolster their chances of avoiding a relegation scrap.

These two teams head into the game at Stora Valla sitting in 14th and 11th place respectively in the Allsvenskan table.

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Match preview

When starting the season with two successive victories, expectations were raised at Degerfors as they looked to accumulate early points in their battle for survival.

Reaching the 13-point mark from nine matches was still a major achievement, but their campaign has since tailed off in embarrassing fashion.

A total of seven defeats in a row has led to a change in the dugout, Henok Goitom having now been placed in charge of Bruket.

Ending this dismal streak may prove far more difficult than Goitom envisages with 14 goals having been conceded in the most recent four matches.

As a result, Degerfors have now shipped 36 goals in 16 games, five more than any other team in the division.

Norrkoping had been on their own five-match run without success until they ended that period with a 3-1 victory over Varnamo last time out.

Overcoming the bottom-placed team in the division has created a five-point margin ahead of their next opponents, who sit in the relegation playoff spot.

Therefore, Martin Falk knows that his players have an opportunity to establish clear difference between themselves and the teams battling to retain their status in the Swedish top flight.

However, one interesting quirk ahead of this contest is Degerfors recording a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture, their last success before losing seven times on the bounce.

Degerfors Swedish Allsvenskan form:

L L L L L L

IFK Norrkoping Swedish Allsvenskan form:

D L D L L W

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Team News

Changes are highly likely to be made to the Degerfors XI after they shipped three goals in the opening 61 minutes against GAIS.

Elias Pihlstrom and Adi Fisic are in contention for recalls in the final third, while Alexander Heden Lindskog may be handed a rare start in the back three, providing that Goitom does not revert to a defensive four.

Arnor Ingvi Traustason, Kojo Peprah Oppong and Tim Prica all picked up injuries in the second half against Varnamo and could miss out.

Ismet Lushaku, Marcus Baggesen and Jonatan Gudni Arnarsson are all in contention to take their places.

Degerfors possible starting lineup:

Igonen; Sundgren, Lindskog, Pikkarainen; Lindell, Gravius, Netabay, Diaby; Rafferty, Pihlstrom; Fisic

IFK Norrkoping possible starting lineup:

Andersson; Neffati, Sogaard, Watson, Baggesen; Bronner, Andersson, Fransson; Arnarsson, Nyman, Sigurgeirsson

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We say: Degerfors 1-2 IFK Norrkoping

 

With Degerfors possessing the worst defensive record in the division by some margin, it is difficult to back against Norrkoping to come through with the win. Although it may be competitive for a time, the visitors should have enough in the final third to get over the line.

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

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