Mjallby AIF play host to Varnamo on Sunday looking to strengthen their position at the top of the Allsvenskan table.
At a time when the home side are pushing for European qualification, the visitors are already on course for relegation having been cut adrift at the bottom of the standings.
Match preview
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Although Mjallby finished fifth last season, they ended the campaign with a hatful of points, and Anders Torstensson has found a way to take that momentum into 2025.
However, he would have realistically not foreseen such an outstanding start from his team, who have accumulated 27 points from their opening 12 games to sit top of the standings.
That feat is even more impressive when considering that Mjallby drew their first two fixtures, with eight wins coming from the following 10 encounters.
Last time out, though, Mjallby had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at 10th-placed IFK Norrkoping, highlighting that they can ill-afford to get ahead of themselves.
Furthermore, just three clean sheets have come from their opening dozen fixtures, something which is becoming increasingly notable when they have only netted four times in their last three games.
As for Varnamo, they have a battle of their hands to extend their Allsvenskan stay past a fourth season after a dismal start to 2025.
Losing their opening seven matches in Sweden's top flight has inevitably Arne Sandsto's side playing catch-up, and it has taken three draws in the last four games to kick-start their season to a certain extent.
The draws in question have been against teams sitting in seventh, fifth and 15th, most notably against Malmo and last time out versus Osters IF.
Nevertheless, conceding in the 90th minute against an immediate relegation rival has the potential to dent their growing confidence, and this feels like a pivotal fixture when the gap to 14th spot is already six points.
Team News
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Mjallby are expected to be forced into at least one change with Timo Stavitski having suffered an injury last time.
Uba Charles was introduced as a 15th-minute replacement and should line up at wing-back for this contest.
In-demand Abdoulie Manneh has contributed six goals and two assists in 12 games this season, the youngster in line to start in one of two number-10 roles.
Having only conceded a last-gasp equaliser versus Osters, Sandsto may be prepared to stick with the same Varnamo starting lineup.
If any alterations are made, the likes of Ishaq Abdulrazak and Mohammed Alsalkhadi are on standby to feature in the final third.
Mjallby AIF possible starting lineup:
Tornqvist; Johansson, Noren, Petterson; Stroud, Gustavsson, Rojkjaer, Charles; Malachowski Thorell, Manneh; Bergstrom
Varnamo possible starting lineup:
Keto; Larsson, Andersson, Grozdanic, Bjornstrom; Le Roux; Johansson, Wenderson, Zeljkovic; Junior Adjei, Kalu
We say: Mjallby AIF 4-1 Varnamo
When considering that the visitors do not have the worst defence or attack, they should not necessarily be overlooked with immediate effect. Nevertheless, it would come as a surprise if Mjallby do not cruise to victory in this contest, even if they fail to keep a clean sheet.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
