IFK Värnarmo v Kalmar

A match-up between the two most in-form sides in Allsvenskan, both performing above expectations and playing some great football.

IFK Värnamo extended their recent unbeaten run to five matches – having not won for as many matches previously – last weekend against Malmö FF, securing a 0-0 draw away from home. In a close game where Malmö were arguably the better side, Värnamo will be delighted to walk away with a point, making it 13 points from 15 possible recently. A side tipped to struggle following promotion, they have defied the odds and have all but guaranteed their top-flight status for next season.

Positioned in 10^th, there is still a chance of finishing in the top half of the table too, with teams above them not showing particularly good form. While last week’s game was their first without scoring in nine matches, they have also improved defensively, a big issue earlier in the campaign. It looks like they are now able to grind out results against better opponents and can break quickly to create dangerous opportunities.

Kalmar temporarily went into the top three last weekend before Hammarby’s demolition of Varberg and are seriously challenging for European qualification after a stormer of a season. Seven consecutive games without defeat, of which five are wins, have propelled them to within touching distance of the top three. The best defensive side in the division, they don’t score many but limit the opposition’s chances of winning by keeping the ball extremely well.

The 2-0 victory over Elfsborg last Sunday was deserved, with the impressive Samuel Nanasi, on loan from Malmö FF, getting on the scoresheet again. With a late push, they might be able to creep into the top three after all – what an achievement it would be for Henrik Rydström who is rumoured to be leaving after the season.

With Värnamo’s defensive improvements, and Kalmar only seeing more than two goals in one of their last eight matches, there is a real chance of a low-scoring contest here.

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Sirius v Norrköping

Two struggling teams in the bottom half of the table, only separated by two points, go head-to-head to determine who can get closer to securing their Allsvenskan contract for next year. 

The home team’s season has gone from bad to worse following the injury to Patrik Karlsson Lagemyr – another long-term knee issue ruled him out for the season, and Sirius have seriously struggled since. With limited quality in attacking areas, they haven’t managed to bag three points for eight consecutive matches. They are at real risk of getting drawn into a late relegation scrap, with Degerfors five points behind showing real fight and determination to escape the drop.

A couple of results are required and could possibly come in the final two games of the campaign, facing GIF Sundsvall and Varbergs BOIS, both below them in the table. The last couple of performances have been somewhat encouraging, getting draws against AIK and Degerfors, and showing some much-needed defensive solidity.

Norrköping’s season hasn’t been much better; sitting in 11^th on 29 points after 25 matches is a huge disappointment for a side expected to challenge for a top 5 position. Nonetheless, there have been recent improvements, only losing one of their last five, collecting 8 points in the process. That should all but ensure the classic club remains in Allsvenskan for next season, but with the quality the squad possesses, much more will be expected going forward.

They were marginally the better team in last week’s 2-2 draw against Mjällby, and the improved performances can be expected to continue with Totte Nyman back to his best, and summer arrival Arnor Traustason finding his feet and producing some quality displays of late. 

With Norrköping not fully out of the woods, there’s still plenty to play for. They’ll go for the win here and with their recent form and squad quality, should be able to come away with at least a point.

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Mjällby v Hammarby

Mjällby, much like the last couple of seasons since getting promoted to Allsvenskan, have performed admirably and sit comfortably in mid-table. Hammarby, meanwhile, are third, still hoping to catch up to Häcken five points ahead at the top of the division. 

Whereas Mjällby have struggled to secure victories in recent times, playing five consecutive matches without one, they have remained difficult to beat. At this stage of the season, most of the hard work has already been done for a team without any realistic chance of challenging for higher positions, with the small carrot now being a top half finish.

Last weekend, Norrköping were held to a 2-2 draw away from home, with wonderkid Silas Nwankwo returning to the scoresheet after a cold streak. He is the team’s top scorer with 8 league goals, five more than any other teammate. Jacob Bergström, their top scorer for the last two years, has had an injury-plagued season, and Nwankwo’s arrival has mitigated the damage.

Iraqi international Amir Al Ammari picked up a red card in the previous match and is therefore suspended here, a big loss to the Mjällby midfield as he has been a regular starter since his arrival from IFK Göteborg in the summer.

Hammarby, on the other hand, have plenty to play for – they are attempting to keep Kalmar behind them and finish in the top three as a bare minimum, while still hoping to catch up to Häcken and Djurgården ahead. With only five games remaining, a five-point deficit isn’t an insurmountable task, but they’ll need some help from their rivals to succeed. Every game, therefore, is a must-win until the end of the season, and with a fairly kind schedule nothing is impossible.

A 5-1 thrashing of Varberg last week extended their unbeaten run to four matches, although it was their first win in five too, having drawn four and lost one previously. The toughest tests of Djurgården, Häcken and Malmö are now out of the way with much easier opposition in the pipeline, and as such a winning streak is to be expected going forward as they mount a late title charge.

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