Both looking to return to their winning ways from the beginning of May, Mjallby AIF and Hacken will lock horns at Strandvallen during a Swedish Allsvenskan clash on Wednesday night.
MAIF were defeated convincingly by title-chasing Djurgardens IF on Saturday, whilst the Wasps suffered a sobering loss at the home of newly-promoted GAIS on the same afternoon.
Match preview
After collecting seven points from three matches at the beginning of their May schedule, Mjallby have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the Allsvenskan, narrowly losing 1-0 at IFK Goteborg on May 21 before suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of second-placed Djurgardens on Saturday afternoon.
Tottenham Hotspur-linked Lucas Bergvall bagged a brilliant brace for the visitors at Strandvallen and Turkish striker Deniz Hummet added a third late on, meaning that Alexander Johansson's first of the season in the opening stages of the second period was a mere consolation for MAIF.
Despite some rocky performances over the past week, Mjallby have shown the capability of breaking free of mid-table mediocrity in the Allsvenskan, with Wednesday's hosts sitting fifth in the league standings currently, just four points behind third-placed GAIS in the Conference League spot.
Dividing opinion since taking charge of MAIF in January 2023, Anders Torstensson is the man tasked with guiding the two-time second-tier champions towards the upper echelons of the Swedish game, with the 58-year-old now enjoying his third separate spell in control at Strandvallen.
As is the case with the majority of teams in the division, MAIF have been relatively solid on their own patch this year, losing just one of their opening six Allsvenskan fixtures in front of their home faithful.
Following successive victories at the beginning of the month, Hacken's faint hopes of challenging for the Swedish crown this year have taken a serious blow, with the Wasps earning just the single point collectively from matches with Halmstads BK, league leaders Malmo and GAIS over the past fortnight.
For the second time in the last three games, Hacken suffered a three-goal defeat on the road on Saturday afternoon, when an early William Milovanovic strike and a second-half double from Jack Cooper Love fired top-flight newcomers GAIS to a comfortable win at Gamla Ullevi.
Despite failing to score against his former employers on the weekend, Julius Lindberg has been a shining light in the opening stages of the season for the Wasps, with the 25-year-old Swede netting four goals in nine Allsvenskan contests - a commendable return as he continues to adapt to life in the top division.
Heading towards a midweek clash at Strandvallen, Hacken are only sat below Mjallby in the league table due to the latter's superior goal difference, with a victory on their travels enough to take the Wasps above fourth-placed Hammarby by the end of play on Wednesday night.
Having won just six of his first 14 matches in the managerial hotseat, Pal Arne Johansen is yet to fully get his feet under the table at Hacken, with the 47-year-old navigating his maiden term in charge of a top-flight outfit after departing from lower league Odd in December.
Team News
Playing a part for Mjallby in cup competitions at the beginning of the year, Adam Petersson picked up a cruciate ligament injury which is set to keep the midfielder sidelined for the remainder of the season.
There could be a change in formation for MAIF on Wednesday following the weekend's defeat, with Rasmus Wikstrom potentially dropping to the bench to make room for midfielder Herman Johansson.
Silas Nwankwo only lasted nine minutes before having his cameo cut short by a knock, and it remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old is available to feature in this one.
Hacken are short on options in the middle of the park due to the illness of Ishaw Abdulrazak, who has not featured since the win at Goteborg in late April.
After breaking into the Wasps' first team during 2023, Isak Brusberg has spent the start of this year on the sidelines because of a groin strain.
The visitors could make some alterations to their forward line after drawing a blank at GAIS on the weekend, meaning that Edward Chilufya and Zeidane Inoussa might be promoted from the bench.
Mjallby AIF possible starting lineup:
Tornqvist; Wikstrom, Rosler, Pettersson; Stahl, Gustafson, Gustavsson, Rojkjaer, Stroud; Johansson, Bergstrom
Hacken possible starting lineup:
Linde; Fridriksson, Hovland, Lode, Lundqvist; Dahbo, Gustafson, Romeo; Layouni, Inoussa, Chilufya
We say: Mjallby AIF 2-1 Hacken
Apart from during the visit of title hopefuls Djurgardens on the weekend, Mjallby have been a tough nut to crack on home soil and should be a tricky opponent for an out-of-form Hacken side on Wednesday.
The Wasps have been smashed in their last two away matches, and although they should be able to put up a decent fight at Strandvallen, we are still predicting a narrow defeat for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
