Hacken are set to host Elfsborg at the Bravida Arena in Sweden's Allsvenskan on Sunday, and the result could significantly affect the race for Europe.
The home side are fourth in the table with 23 points and are just three behind third-placed Mjallby, who occupy the division's final Europa Conference League playoff spot, while the visitors are four points behind their hosts in seventh but are only six clear of the league's 14th-placed relegation playoff spot.
Match preview
Hacken will be disappointed that after 14 matches they are averaging just 1.64 points per game, a figure that is lower than the 1.9 points per game they achieved in 2023.
In fact, their 1.64 points per game return is significantly lower than their 2022 title winning record of 2.13.
The hosts come into Sunday's clash having won their last two league fixtures, but prior to that they did lose three of four top-flight matches.
Hacken's home record in the Allsvenskan this season is fairly good having won four of their seven fixtures at the Bravida Arena, but considering they won 14 of 15 home fixtures last season, this record will be disappointing to manager Pal Arne Johansen.
This is Johansen's first season in charge of the club and his side have won seven, drawn three and lost six matches in all competitions.
Under his leadership this campaign, Hacken have scored 26 goals and conceded 23, and this makes them the division's third-best offensive and 11th best defensive team.
As for the visitors, they come into the game having won their last league match 3-0 against Brommapojkarna on July 6, though they did lose three of their prior four top-flight matches.
Elfsborg have also lost their last six away trips in the Allsvenskan and have in fact only won one of their seven matches on the road this season.
The away side finished second last term while averaging 2.13 points per game and missed out on the title on goal difference.
However, this campaign Elfsborg are averaging just 1.36 points per game, and extrapolated over the course of the season this record would see them end 2024 with their lowest points total since 2018.
Manager Oscar Hiljemark joined the club as a youth player in 2008 at the age of 15, and he took over as boss on April 16.
Hiljemark's side have scored 24 goals and conceded 20, and this makes them the division's joint fifth-best offensive and joint eighth-best defensive team.
Team News
The hosts will have to contend with the absence of Jacob Barrett Laursen until late July due to a hamstring injury, while midfielder Isak Brusberg is also expected to miss out due to a groin issue.
Defender Nikola Zecevic, who has not featured for Hacken since March, is also not scheduled to return until later this month, although midfielder Sigge Jansson and striker Srdjan Hrstic could return in time for Sunday's clash.
As for the visitors, they come into the game without any major injury concerns and Hiljemark could have the luxury of choosing his XI from a fully fit squad by the time of the match.
Expect top-scorer Michael Baidoo to start in the forward line, while Besfort Zeneli can be expected to keep his place in midfield after scoring in a 3-0 Europa League playoff win against Pafos on Thursday.
Hacken possible starting lineup:
Linde; Lunddal, Hovland, Lode, Lundqvist; Amane, Gustafson, Rygaard; Layouni, Youssef, Inoussa
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Holmen, Henriksson, Yegbe; Hedlund, Ouma, B Zeneli, Hult; Qasem, Baidoo, A Zeneli
We say: Hacken 2-0 Elfsborg
It is difficult to ignore Elfsborg's poor away form this season, and the fact their performance levels have dropped so significantly from last term is concerning.
With this in mind, Hacken head into Sunday's clash as favourites and should be confident of securing all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
