Back in league action following successful continental outings, Elfsborg and Djurgardens IF will resume their quests for top-three finishes as they meet at Boras Arena for a Swedish Allsvenskan clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Yellow Ones recorded a highly-impressive victory at Sheriff Tiraspol in the week, whilst the Blue Stripes made lightwork of a European minnow on home soil.
Match preview
![Manager Oscar Hiljemark of Elfsborg during the UEFA Europa League qualification match on July 18, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/29/oscar-hiljemark.jpeg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Manager Oscar Hiljemark of Elfsborg during the UEFA Europa League qualification match on July 18, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Leaving the club at the beginning of June to take up managerial responsibilities at Scottish Premiership outfit Aberdeen, Jimmy Thelin threatened to derail Elfsborg's promising campaign so far in 2024, but Sunday's hosts have gone from strength to strength following the departure of the 46-year-old.
After leading Aalborg BK to the top tier of Danish football during the 2023-24 campaign, Oscar Hiljemark has managed to bring his magic touch across Scandinavian borderlines, with the Yellow Ones winning six straight matches across all competitions since the instilment of the 32-year-old coach.
Elfsborg's most recent victory arrived during a trip to Moldovan giants Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night, when veteran midfielder Simon Hedlund managed to hold his nerve from 12 yards out in the 86th minute to hand his side a narrow advantage heading into the second leg next week.
Focusing on Allsvenskan matters, the Yellow Ones have been flawless since returning from the month-long summer break, collecting a maximum of nine points from three league matches, an exceptional run of form that has included a 5-3 beating of Hacken and the 3-0 smashing of Brommapojkarna.
Enjoying a perfect July in the Swedish top flight to date, Elfsborg have managed to move themselves up to fourth in the Allsvenskan standings ahead of Sunday's match, with the hosts four points behind third-placed Mjallby AIF, who currently occupy the final Conference League spot.
© Imago
Aiming to earn a spot in the maiden edition of the Conference League's revamped league phase, Djurgardens welcomed Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg on Thursday night to Tele2 Arena, where the Swedish hosts showed their ruthless side to all-but book their place in the third round of qualifying.
Gustav Wikheim got the scoring started for the Blue Stripes, but it was two strikes either side of the half-time break from leading marksman Deniz Hummet that stole the headlines on the continental stage, with the prolific Turk providing 13 goal contributions in just 16 matches across all competitions so far this season.
Despite a convincing success in the Conference League during the week, Djurgardens will feel the need to make amends for recent displays at Boras Arena following last Saturday's defeat in the Allsvenskan, as relegation-threatened Kalmar recorded a shock victory to boost their survival hopes.
Taking charge of the Blue Stripes in November 2018, Kim Bergstrand is currently the longest-serving manager in the Swedish top flight and will not be phased by a humbling loss at Kalmar six days ago, with the 56-year-old determined to add a second Allsvenskan title to his CV in 2024.
Bergstrand and his troops have an uphill battle on their hands in order to finish top of the pile, though, with formidable league leaders Malmo sitting seven points ahead of Djurgardens ahead of this weekend, although the Blue Stripes have played a game fewer.
Team News
© Reuters
After being replaced on the 55-minute mark in Moldova on Thursday, Arber Zeneli and Camil Jebara should be relatively fresh at Boras Arena for Elfsborg this weekend.
Jalal Abdulai netted a sensational brace in the 3-1 win over Mjallby last Sunday and could be rewarded with his eighth start of the Allsvenskan season.
Djurgardens are without the services of right-back Piotr Johansson, who is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign following a cruciate ligament injury in early June.
As a result, Peter Therkildsen has little competition for a spot on the right side of the Blue Stripes' backline, meaning that he is a certainty to start this weekend.
Forced off due to injury just 13 minutes into the loss at Kalmar, Tokmac Chol Nguen did not feature in the Conference League on Thursday night and could also miss the Elfsborg clash.
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Holmen, Henriksson, Yegbe; Hedlund, B Zeneli, Ouma, Hult; Jebara, Abdulai, Baidoo
Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Therkildsen, Tenho, Danielson, Dahl; Ekdal, Sabovic, Wikheim, Gulliksen, Fallenius; Hummet
We say: Elfsborg 1-1 Djurgardens IF
After a challenging trip to Moldova on Thursday night in the Europa League, Elfsborg could drop points for the first time under the reign of Hiljemark this weekend.
Djurgardens will be looking to pounce on any signs of fatigue from the hosts, although we do not believe that the Blue Stripes will escape Boras Arena with maximum points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
