Looking to move further away from trouble after two years of struggle, IFK Goteborg welcome champions Malmo to Galma Ullevi for a Swedish Allsvenskan battle on Sunday afternoon.
Blavitt managed a much-needed success at the base of Degerfors last time out, whilst Di blae were forced to settle for a point in front of their own supporters.
Match preview
© Imago
Finishing 13th in the Swedish Allsvenskan in back-to-back campaigns - only avoiding relegation due to a superior goals-scored record last year - IFK Goteborg are aiming to enjoy a stress-free term this time around, with Sunday afternoon's hosts picking up a crucial victory recently.
Blavitt halted a three-game losing run with maximum points at the home of Degerfors on Monday night, when a brilliant brace from Tobias Heintz and a sixth goal of the league campaign from Danish marksman Max Fenger was enough to secure a 3-1 triumph at Stora Valla in front of close to 6,000 fans.
Enjoying their maiden success of the May schedule last time out, Goteborg have moved up to ninth position in the Swedish Allsvenskan standings after collecting 13 points from their opening 10 contests, sitting four points ahead of Sirius in the highest of the danger spots.
Unusual for a side tipped for a fight at the bottom, Blavitt have only collected four of their 13 points at home to date, with Stefan Billborn's troops winless across their most recent quartet of fixtures at Gamla Ullevi, last winning at the venue on April 5 versus Halmstads BK.
European champions in 1982 and 1987, as well as 18-time champions of Sweden, Goteborg possess the pedigree required to become a real force at the top of the Allsvenskan once again, but they must address their worrying home form if they wish to avoid a third straight year of relegation fears.
Winning four of the last five Swedish Allsvenskan titles, Malmo are undoubtedly the team to beat during the 2025 edition of the competition, although Sunday afternoon's visitors are certainly enduring plenty of hardship as they look to safely regain their crown this time around.
Di blae extended their unbeaten run to four top-flight contests on Thursday night, but the champions may perceive the result as two points dropped at home versus AIK Fotboll, who managed to escape Eleda Stadion clutching at a point despite failing to register a shot on Melker Ellborg's net.
Despite earning a respectable eight points from their last four league matches, Malmo are sitting down in fifth spot in the early stages of the Allsvenskan title race, already seven points adrift of pace-setting Mjallby AIF, who have lost just one of their first 11 games.
Henrik Rydstrom's men will be looking for a major improvement on their most recent away performance on May 15, when they were held 2-2 at the base of the division's bottom side, with IFK Varnamo picking up only their second result of the season at the expense of the Swedish champions.
A key part of Malmo's title successes of recent years, Isaac Kiese Thelin has failed to hit the same heights so far, with the 32-year-old veteran finding the net on just two occasions across 11 Allsvenskan appearances to date during the 2025 term - a disappointing ratio for a striker who is hunting down a 20-goal campaign.
Team News
© Imago
Goteborg remain without the services of Arbnor Mucolli, who has been sidelined since the middle of August owing to a serious knee injury.
Blavitt have a number of first-teamers who will not feature until the summer months, including Hussein Carneil (ankle) and Pontus Dahlberg (muscle).
Yet to take to the field for the hosts in 2025, Lucas Kahed is recovering from a hip injury sustained before the start of this year's competitive action.
Malmo also have a star in the medical room because of a cruciate ligament injury, with the absence of Johan Dahlin limiting the visitors' goalkeeping options.
A shining light for Di blae in Sweden and on the Europa League stage continent last year, Erik Botheim is currently sitting on the sidelines because of a broken leg.
IFK Goteborg possible starting lineup:
Bishersari; Eriksson, Svensson, Erlingmark, Trondsen; Lundqvist, Kruse, Jagne; Clemmensen, Heintz, Fenger
Malmo possible starting lineup:
Ellborg; Larsen, Rosler, Zatterstrom, Busanello; Rosengren, Johnsen, Bolin, Christiansen; Ali, Thelin
We say: IFK Goteborg 2-1 Malmo
Buoyed by victory on the road earlier in the week, Goteborg should be quietly confident of pulling off an upset at Gamla Ullevi this weekend.
Handed less time to recover from their last fixture and with a number of key players either injured or out of form, Malmo could suffer a shock defeat on Sunday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS' AWARDS!
Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers' Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.
Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!
Carter White
