Two sides with contrasting Allsvenskan ambitions this season will meet on Saturday when top-half GAIS take on relegation contenders IFK Norrkoping at Gamla Ullevi.
The hosts enter the second half of the top-flight campaign in fifth place in the league standings, while the visitors are are 14th and just one point above the dotted line.
Match preview
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GAIS's resurgence over the last two seasons has been nothing short of remarkable, having secured back-to-back promotions taking them from the second division back to the top flight in consecutive years.
Now back in the Allsvenskan, the Mackerels have enjoyed an impressive first half of the season, notching up 28 points in 16 games, which sees them trailing the European qualification spots by just one point.
Fredrik Holmberg's side picked up their ninth win of the league campaign last weekend, beating AIK for the second time in a week, maintaining clean sheets in both encounters, marking the first time this season they have gone consecutive games without conceding.
Those victories followed a three-match winless run on either side of the international break (W0 D1 L2), during which they had conceded seven goals and only scored once.
The hosts' major strength this season has undoubtedly been the form on their home patch, where they are unbeaten in their last seven games (W6 D1 L0) and have earned 19 of their 28-point tally to date.
![IFK Norrköpings coach Andreas Alm after the 5 1 loss to Sirius in June 1, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/29/andreas-alm.jpeg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "IFK Norrköpings coach Andreas Alm after the 5 1 loss to Sirius in June 1, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Meanwhile, after ending last season comfortably placed in mid-table, Norrkoping have experienced a significant downturn this term, and a loss this weekend could see them dragged into the bottom two.
However, Snoka Kamraterna are entering this match having won back-to-back league games for only the second time this season, beating Halmstad 1-0 and overcoming Kalmar 2-0 last weekend.
Those victories came after a dismal eight-match winless streak which included seven losses and a draw, dating all the way back to the end of April when they managed an against-the-odds victory over Hacken.
Chief among the issues that contributed to Andreas Alm's side's demise during that period was their defensive frailties. So far this season, Vita-Bla have shipped a massive 37 goals, which is the most of any team in the division.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the two victories earned this month both came on their home patch, while on the road, Norrkoping have earned just five points from a possible 24 and are winless in their last five (W0 D1 L4).
Team News
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GAIS could be without the services of Robin Wendin Thomasson and Robin Frej for this match, with both players flagged as doubts owing to an illness and concussion respectively.
In terms of confirmed absentees, midfielder Filip Gustafsson is ruled out until the end of the month with a foot injury and Egzon Binaku is sidelined until mid-September with an injured knee.
Norrkoping, also have two players definitely ruled out for this contest, with Joseph Ceesay and Jacob Ortmark currently on the treatment table with ACL injuries.
Captain Christoffer Nyman has been excellent for Alm this month, scoring all three of their goals in the last two matches, and he will almost certainly lead the line for the visitors in this one.
GAIS possible starting lineup:
Krasniqi; Wangberg, Beckman, Noren, Ibrahim; Henriksson, Aberg, Milovanovic; Celik, Holmstrom, Lundgren
IFK Norrkoping possible starting lineup:
Nilsson; Salihovic, Watson, Ssewankambo, Kalley; Lushaku, Traustason, Neffati, Khazeni, Bjork; Nyman
We say: GAIS 2-1 IFK Norrkoping
While Norrkoping have found two much-needed wins in the last two gameweeks, both victories were on their home patch. They are now set to head on the road, where they have not won since May and have earned just one point in their last five outings.
GAIS, on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last seven games at Gamla Ullev and we feel they will add to that record with another victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
