Two in-form sides clash as Elfsborg host Mjallby AIF at Boras Arena in Sweden's Allsvenskan on Sunday, with both teams looking to protect their winning streaks.
The result of this match will have a bearing on the race for European places, with the visitors currently occupying the final spot and the hosts just two places and seven points behind.
Match preview
![Manager Oscar Hiljemark of Elfsborg during the UEFA Europa League qualification match on July 18, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/29/oscar-hiljemark.jpeg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Manager Oscar Hiljemark of Elfsborg during the UEFA Europa League qualification match on July 18, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Elfsborg were in action last Saturday, thrashing Cypriot side Pafos 5-2 to secure an 8-2 aggregate victory in the first round of Europa League qualification.
Oscar Hiljemark's side have been in excellent form since the beginning of July, winning all four of their matches across all competitions so far this month, including a thrilling 5-3 victory over fellow European hopefuls Hacken in their last league outing.
Di Gule have scored 16 goals in those four matches, while conceding five, and they will hope to keep this goalscoring form going when they host Mjallby, another team with European ambitions, on Sunday.
Elfsborg have now climbed to fifth place after two straight victories in the Allsvenskan, having picked up 22 points from 15 matches, level on points with sixth-placed Hammarby and seventh-placed Gais, who have both played one less game.
Hiljemark's men have enjoyed playing in front of their home supporters, a fact evident after picking up 16 of their total points at Boras Arena, making them the third-best team at home so far.
Currently on a run of five consecutive league wins on home soil, the hosts will be looking forward to extending this streak against an opposition that they have dominated on home turf, boasting six wins and just one defeat in the nine times they have hosted this fixture.
Mjallby are on course to have their best campaign so far since returning to the top-flight in 2020, with 29 points from 15 matches putting them in third place with the possibility of European football on the horizon.
Anders Torstensson's men have recorded four consecutive league victories for the first time this season, including a statement 2-1 victory over league leaders Malmo last Saturday.
The side from Halmstad are two points behind second-placed Djurgardens IF, who have played one less game, and have cut Malmo's lead over them to six points.
However, a tough encounter awaits Mjallby on Sunday, and this is a tricky fixture due to the contrast between their home and away form.
With just nine of their 29 points, and three of their four defeats coming on the road, Torstensson's side are in for a significant battle to keep their winning run intact by the end of the game.
Team News
Elfsborg are heading into this game without any major injury concerns, leaving Hiljemark with a wealth of options from a fully fit squad.
Top-scorer Michael Baidoo found the net in the Europa League win last time out, and he is expected to lead the forward line once again.
Arber Zeneli has directly contributed to four goals in the last two matches, which should see him keep his place in attack for this clash.
Mjallby will remain without the services of Silas Nwankwo and Adam Petersson, with the former expected back later this month and the latter out of the season.
Jacob Bergstroem has scored six times in the league, including one against Malmo last time out, and Mjallby's leading scorer is expected to start in attack once again.
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Holmen, Henriksson, Yegbe; Hedlund, Ouma, B. Zeneli, Kaib Gudmundsson, Baidoo, A. Zeneli
Mjallby AIF possible starting lineup:
Tornqvist; Wikstrom, Rosler, T Pettersson; Gustavsson; Stroud, Rojkjaer, Gustafson, Stahl; Bergstrom, Manneh
We say: Elfsborg 2-1 Mjallby AIF
It is difficult to overlook Mjallby's poor away form despite their overall impressive record thus far, and the discrepancy between their home and away results could prove significant when they face a team like Elfsborg, who are currently enjoying a strong run of form on home soil.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
