Viborg FF will play the final match of their campaign on Saturday afternoon, making the trip to a Silkeborg outfit that still have plenty to fight for in the latter stages of the season.
The visitors are second in the relegation round of the Danish Superliga, while Silkeborg are first, five points ahead of their opponents this weekend, with the team qualifying for a European playoff match.
Match preview
Silkeborg have confirmed first position in the relegation round of the Danish Superliga, with the team five points ahead of second-placed Viborg, which is seeing them qualify for the European playoff match.
However, the situation is complicated by the fact that the hosts may still qualify for the Europa League directly, as they will take on Copenhagen in the final of the Danish Cup at the end of this month.
Silkeborg will want to keep that winning feeling heading into the final of the Danish Cup, and they will enter this match off the back of three straight victories, including a 3-2 success over AaB last time out.
SIF were actually in the qualification round of this season’s Conference League, but they failed to make it past round three, losing 5-4 on aggregate to Gent, while they played in the group stage of the Conference League in 2022-23 alongside West Ham United.
Kent Nielsen‘s side are unbeaten in the league since the end of April, when they went down 2-0 to Lyngby, drawing two and winning three of their last five matches in all competitions during a strong run of form.
As for Viborg, the visitors are second in the relegation round of the Danish Superliga, picking up 44 points from 31 matches, which has left them five points behind leaders Silkeborg.
The Greens will see their season end on Saturday, and they have managed to secure a fourth straight campaign in Denmark’s top flight following their promotion from the first division in 2020-21.
Jakob Poulsen‘s side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Vejle, and they have only actually managed to win one of their last eight games in all competitions, which came at home to AaB on May 11.
Viborg have actually lost three of their last four league fixtures against Silkeborg, including the last two, while they suffered a 4-1 defeat when the two teams last locked horns in February.
Team News
Silkeborg will be without the services of Pelle Mattsson this weekend due to the milestone yellow card that the midfielder picked up in the clash with AaB last time out, and his absence is a huge blow.
Younes Bakiz, Pontus Roedin and Sofus Berger are also unavailable for selection due to fitness problems, while Alexander Busch is a doubt.
Tonni Adamsen came up with a brace last time out to make it 15 goals for the campaign, and there will be another start through the middle for the 30-year-old.
As for Viborg, Zan Zaletel is unavailable for selection due to a knee injury, while a long-term issue in the same area continues to keep Oliver Bundgaard on the treatment table.
Isak Jensen has scored eight times in the league this season, and the 21-year-old will once again feature in a forward area.
There should also be a spot in the starting XI for Renato Junior, with the Brazilian scoring four times in 28 league appearances for the club during the current campaign.
Silkeborg possible starting lineup:
Larsen; Gammelby, Ostrom, Ganchas, Poulsen; Larsen, Mattsson, Freundlich; McCowatt, Adamsen, Klynge
Viborg FF possible starting lineup:
Lund; Mbom, Anyembe, Radic, Kuzmic; Beck, Gronning, Jorgensen; Serginho, Junior, Jensen
We say: Silkeborg 2-1 Viborg FF
We are expecting a close match on Saturday, as Viborg certainly have the tools to make this a tough match for Silkeborg. However, home advantage could be key this weekend, ands we fancy Silkeborg to secure all three points in front of their own fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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