Halmstads BK play host to Djurgardens IF on Sunday looking for the win that could move the club away from the Allsvenskan relegation zone.
While the home side sit in 13th position in the table, Conference League semi-finalists Djurgardens are ninth and bidding to make quick headway up the standings.
Match preview
© Imago
In the aftermath of their exit from the Conference League, Djurgardens would have been hoping to kick-start their domestic campaign after a slow start on that front.
However, Jani Honkavaara's side have only accumulated seven points from their most recent five games, a streak which has ensured that they have failed to make significant headway.
On a positive note, though, the Iron Stoves have responded to back-to-back defeats where they conceded seven goals by collecting four points from games with BK Hacken and IF Brommapojkarna.
Only earning a share of the spoils with eighth-placed Hacken would have come as a disappointment, but Djurgardens responded by edging out 12th-placed Brommapojkarna by a 1-0 scoreline.
For the first time since April 24, Djurgardens have avoided defeat in successive matches, and the aim now will be to build some momentum with a favourable upcoming fixture list.
As for Halmstads, they face a battle to replicate last season's 12th-placed finish having already suffered back-to-back defeats on three occasions during the early part of this campaign.
Ten points have been earned in between to keep Johan Lindholm's team above the bottom three for now, yet 10 goals have been conceded in their last three fixtures.
While some context is required given that the opponents in question all sit in the top seven, Lindholm will be concerned about the trajectory of his team.
Halmstads have also shipped 12 goals in their last four fixtures at Orjans Vall, highlighting the size of their task on Sunday.
Team News
© Imago
Given the manner of the 4-1 defeat at home to IF Elsborg, the expectation is that Lindholm will make alterations to his Halmstads XI.
Gisli Eyjolfsson and Blair Turgott may be given opportunities in central midfield and attack respectively having been Lindholm's first port of call last time out.
That said, with Yannick Agnero netting five times this season, Turgott may have to remain patient unless Lindholm opts to start with two centre-forwards.
Meanwhile, Honkavaara faces the prospect of making at least two changes with Hampus Finndell and Miro Tenho both suffering injuries against Hacken.
Santeri Haarala could be restored in the final third, with Jacob Une replacing Tenho in the middle of defence to partner Marcus Danielson.
Halmstads BK possible starting lineup:
Erlandsson; Olsson, Kurtulus, Schyberg; Granath, Allansson, Eyjolfsson, Friberg; Mohammed, Agnero, Arvidsson
Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:
Manojlovic; Bergvall, Une, Danielson, Kosugi; Sittanen, Gulliksen; Priske, Alemayehu Mulugeta, Haarala; Nguen
We say: Halmstads BK 1-1 Djurgardens IF
With this being the worst defence versus the worst attack, it is a difficult one to predict. Although Djurgardens are marginal favourites to prevail, they are yet to show any kind of consistency, leading us to back Halmstads to earn a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
