After a five-week break, Vasteras SK and Hacken return to action in the Swedish Allsvenskan when they square off at the Hitachi Energy Arena on Monday.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since March 2021, when the Getingarna cruised to a 3-0 cup victory courtesy of a brace from Alexander Jeremejeff and Gustaf Lagerbielke's late own goal.
Match preview
With the season approaching its midway point, newcomers Vasteras find themselves scrambling for points at the wrong end of the table as they struggle to find their feet in the top flight.
The green-white ended their 27-year absence from the Allsvenskan last season when they clinched the Superettan title, picking up 63 points from 30 matches to finish six points clear of runners-up GAIS.
However, the Vasteras have failed to impose themselves in the big leagues, losing eight and picking up two wins while scoring eight goals and conceding 14 in their 12 Allsvenskan matches so far.
One of their two league wins this season came just before the break as they stormed to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Kalmar when the two sides squared off on June 2.
A 16th-minute strike from Patric Aslund opened the floodgates at the Guldfageln Arena as Matteo Ahlinvi netted a second-half brace before Nigerian forward Henry Offia put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute.
Having played out consecutive stalemates against Sirius and Brommapojkarna in their previous two games before the Kalmar victory, Vasteras have now gone three straight matches without defeat for the first time since the turn of the year.
While they are currently rooted to the bottom of the table with just eight points, Kalle Karlsson will hope that his side can pick up where they left off before the break as they look to turn their season around and pull clear of the danger zone.
Hacken, on the other hand, head into Monday's clash off the back of two friendly matches as they suffered a 3-2 loss against Sirius on June 28, two days before picking up a 4-2 victory over Halmstads.
Head coach Pal Arne Johansen will hope that the win over Halmstad can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form as they turn their attention to the league, where they have won just one of their last five matches.
Like Vasteras, Hacken's last league victory came in their final outing before the league break as they cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over AIK at Bravida Arena on June 2.
Valgeir Lunddal, Edward Chilufya, Amor Layouni and Mikkel Rygaard all found the back of the net to put the home side in a commanding four-goal lead before 27-year-old striker Ioannis Pittas pulled one back for AIK in the 57th minute.
Prior to that, the Getingarna were on a run of one point from four matches while suffering defeats at the hands of Halmstads, Mjallby and newly-promoted GAIS.
Hacken have won six of their 13 Allsvenskan matches this season while losing five and claiming two draws to collect 20 points and sit sixth in the table, but could move into fourth place with all three points on Monday.
However, results on the road offer little optimism as they have lost each of their last four away games across all competitions, conceding 11 goals and scoring just three since a 3-0 victory at Sirius on May 4.
Team News
Vasteras will have to cope without 27-year-old forward Simon Gefvert, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury in May.
The green-white will also have to make do without Zambia international Edward Chilufya, who recently returned to parent club Midtjylland following the end of his loan deal.
As for Hacken, Johansen will be unable to name the midfield duo of Isak Brusberg and Jeremy Agbonifo, who has been ruled out through groin and thigh injuries respectively.
Danish defender Barrett Laursen has missed each of the last three matches since coming off with a hamstring injury against Mjallby back in May and will play no part in Monday's game.
He is also joined on the club's injury table by fellow defender Nikola Zecevic, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a severe injury back in March.
Vasteras SK possible starting lineup:
Fagerstroem; Marques, Nsabiyumva, Douglas; Warneryd, Linday, Magnusson, Larsson; Diabate, Aaslund, Johansson
Hacken possible starting lineup:
Linde; Fridriksson, Lode, Hovland, Lundqvist; Rygaard, Gustafson, Romeo; Layouni, Chilufya, Inoussa
We say: Vasteras SK 1-1 Hacken
While Hacken are favourites to come away with the desired results, Vasteras have been on the up in recent weeks and will fancy their chances. However, Hacken's current form on the road is nothing to write home about and we see them struggling at the Hitachi Energy Arena.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
