In a battle that will impact the bottom of the Allsvenskan table, relegation-threatened Sirius will welcome IFK Goteborg to Studenternas IP on Sunday.

Sirius are fourth last in 13th place with 13 points and are only one place above the relegation playoff spot, whereas Goteborg are in seventh place with 22 points following their 2-1 loss against Elfsborg on July 12.

Match preview

The hosts lost for the eighth time in 15 matches when they were beaten 2-1 by first-placed Mjallby on July 14, though they can count themselves unfortunate to have not taken any points given they created more than two xG while facing less than one xG.

Boss Andreas Engelmark will be encouraged by the fact his side prevented the league leaders from producing a single shot on target in the second half, but he will equally be alarmed that his team have conceded seven goals in their three most recent fixtures.

It should be noted that only three points separate the Blue-Black from 11th-placed Halmstads BK, though they are level on points with 14th-placed Degerfors.

Sirius are winless in three games – losing twice – and they have lost five and drawn one of their last seven in the league, scoring 11 and conceding 15 in that time.

The hosts have to their credit triumphed in two of their past five home outings, but they did also lose two of those clashes while only keeping one clean sheet.

Goteborg’s 26th-minute lead was wiped out against Elfsborg, when the victors struck twice in the closing stages of the first half, and head coach Stefan Billborn will be concerned that his players failed to create a single big chance.

They away side have picked the ball out of their own net the same number of times (six) in their past three outings as they had in their previous six league matches.

Blavitt emerged as 3-1 winners when they faced off against Sirius in the reverse fixture on July 6, extending their unbeaten streak against their hosts to three games, though they drew twice in that period.

Goteborg have suffered two defeats in their three most recent games – winning once – and they scored on four occasions in those matches.

Though the visitors were beaten 3-0 by AIK on June 29 in their last match on the road, they did achieve victories in four of their prior five away from home.

Sirius Swedish Allsvenskan form:

IFK Goteborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:

Team News

With Sirius centre-back Tobias Karlsson ruled out due to injury, expect Simon Sandberg and Tobias Anker to play in the heart of defence.

Melker Heier may anchor the hosts’ midfield, while Leo Walta and Marcus Lindberg patrol ahead of him.

Isak Bjerkebo and August Ljungberg are likely to flank striker Ure given Noel Milleskog is dealing with a shoulder issue.

Meanwhile, considering that Goteborg defenders Anders Trondsen and Gustav Svensson are sidelined, perhaps Thomas Santos, Jonas Bager, August Erlingmark and Noah Tolf will play in the backline.

Attacking midfielder Arbnor Mucolli is unavailable, and his absence may lead to the selection of Imam Jagne ahead of a double pivot featuring Kolbeinn Thordarson and David Kruse.

Sirius possible starting lineup:

Diawara; Castegren, Sandberg, Anker, Widgren; Walta, Heier, Lindberg; Bjerkebo, Ure, Ljungberg

IFK Goteborg possible starting lineup:

Bishesari; Santos, Bager, Erlingmark, Tolf; Thordarson, Kruse; Clemmensen, Jagne, Heintz; Fenger

We say: Sirius 1-2 IFK Goteborg

Goteborg have been vulnerable at the back in the past weeks, and they may find it difficult to keep their hosts at bay.

However, Sirius’ record against the visitors has been subpar in recent encounters, and they could succumb to another league defeat.

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

Written by
Lewis Nolan

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