Two clubs at opposite ends of the Allsvenskan table meet at the 3Arena on Monday evening as European-chasing Djurgardens entertain relegation-threatened Halmstad.
Djurgardens’ impressive away form continued last weekend, as they won a six-goal thriller away at third-placed Hacken, leaving them in sixth position, four points off second spot with two games in hand.
Whilst that’s now three wins from four on the road for Jani Konkavaara’s hosts, they have struggled at home, as they have won just one of their previous five Allsvenskan fixtures in front of their supporters (W1-D1-L3), losing each of the last two.
Halmstad have endured a difficult start to the season, as they headed into the World Cup break having won just one and lost six of their opening 10 matches (W1-D3-L6).
Things didn’t get any better last weekend for Stuart Baxter’s side, as they were beaten 1-3 at home to 11th-placed Vasteras.
HBK now head into this fixture rooted to the bottom of the Allsvenskan table, four points adrift of safety.
How the bookies view it: Djurgarden clear favourites
Despite their poor home form, Djurgarden are clear favourites to pick up all three points here, with bet365 pricing up a home success at just 2/9.
Halmstad are 10/1 outsiders to claim just their second win of the season, whilst the draw is also unfancied at 11/2.
Head to head: Three unbeaten for Halmstad
Halmstad are unbeaten in each of their previous three meetings with Djurgardens (W2-D1-L0).
However, they are winless in each of their previous 11 trips to the capital, losing nine of them (W0-D2-L9).
Players to watch: Look to Lien for a goal
Kristian Stromland Lien is Djurgardens top scorer this season, scoring six goals across his 10 appearances in the Swedish top flight.
The Norwegian forward bagged a brace away at Hacken last weekend, and he is priced at 5/6 at bet365 to get on the scoresheet in the Swedish capital on Monday.
Predicted line-ups:
Djurgardens will be without the injured Malkolm Nilsson, as well as Mikael Marques following his red card at Hacken last weekend.
Halmstad are also missing a player due to suspension, with Andre Boman unavailable.
Djurgardens IF: Rinne, Johansson, Tehno, Une, Larsson, Finndell, Siltanen, Aslund, Hegland, Fallenius, Lien
Halmstad BK: Ronning, Friberg, Gregor, Tougjas, Kaib, Allansson, Ascone, Kapsimalis, Arvidsson, Carneill, Faraj
Anything else catch the eye?
Djurgardens are priced up as clear favourites here, but given their poor form at home this season, I’m happy to swerve the match result and back goals.
Djurgardens opening 10 matches in the Swedish top flight this term have averaged a whopping 3.80 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score in each of their past four and six of their last seven.
Halmstad aren’t prolific scorers, but Both Teams to Score has paid out in 7/11 (64%) of their Allsvenskan clashes this term – including in three of their past four – and a repeat pays an appealing 19/20 at bet365.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
GambleAware