Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Swedish Allsvenskan clash between Kalmar and Djurgardens IF, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Djurgardens IF will continue their Allsvenskan title bid when they travel to Guldfageln Arena for Saturday’s clash with Kalmar.
The visitors head into the weekend in second position, while the hosts are currently languishing in the relegation playoff spot.
Match preview
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Having mustered 13 points from 14 matches, Kalmar are embroiled in a battle to extend their 20-year stay in the top flight.
Kalmar are hovering just two points above the automatic relegation places and are currently four points adrift from escaping the bottom three.
Henrik Jensen oversaw heavy defeats against Malmo and Vasteras SK, before he left his position as manager to become the first team assistant coach at Championship side Burnley.
After being named as caretaker boss, Stefan Larsson guided his team to a 2-1 away victory over AIK in his first game in charge, only to see his first home match end in a 1-0 defeat to Brommapojkarna.
Unfortunately for Larsson, his side will head into the weekend with the joint-worst home record, having collected just four points from their seven home matches this season.
While Kalmar are battling for top-flight survival, Djurgarden are fighting to win their ninth Allsvenskan title and their first since being crowned Swedish champions in 2019.
Having won 10, drawn one and lost three of their 14 matches, Djurgarden are four points adrift of leaders and reigning champions Malmo, who have played a game more.
Kim Bergstrand and Thomas Lagerlof‘s side are currently enjoying a rich vein of form after recording eight victories in their previous nine Allsvenskan outings.
A five-game winning run ended with a 3-0 defeat against Hammarby, but Djurgarden quickly got back on track with consecutive victories over Norrkoping and Varnamo.
The title hopefuls will certainly fancy their chances of claiming three more points this weekend, having won their last four away league games by a combined 13-2 scoreline.
Kalmar Swedish Allsvenskan form:
Djurgardens IF Swedish Allsvenskan form:
Team News
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Kalmar will be without the services of defender Rony Jansson and midfield Carl Gustafsson due to their respective injury issues.
Romario featured as a half-time substitute last weekend, and the 38-year-old is now in contention to start against Djurgarden.
Johan Karlsson will hope to get more minutes off the bench after he made his long-awaited return from injury to play the final 15 minutes in the defeat to Brommapojkarna.
Meanwhile, the visitors may be unable to call upon Piotr Johansson and Rasmus Schuller due to knee and foot injuries respectively.
Defender Miro Tenho and midfielder Besad Sabovic are both doubts after the pair were both forced off in the win over Varnamo.
Turkish forward Deniz Hummet represents of one Djurgarden’s main goal threats, having scored eight times in 14 league appearances this season.
Kalmar possible starting lineup:
Brolin; Hallberg, Saetra, Osuji, Motaraghebjafarpour; Romario, Gojani, Skrabb; Ring, Trenskow, Islamovic
Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:
Widell Zetterstrom; Therkildsen, Danielson, Une-Larsson, Dahl; Leach, Ekdal; Wikheim, Nguen, Gulliksen; Hummet
We say: Kalmar 0-2 Djurgardens IF
Djurgardens will be full of confidence after winning eight of their last nine league matches, including each of their previous four away outings in the top flight.
With momentum in the visitors’ favour, we think they will produce a strong display to see off their relegation-threatened opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.