Second-placed AIK Fotboll could draw level with Allsvenskan leaders Mjallby if they beat 12th-placed Brommapojkarna away from home at Grimsta IP on Sunday.
Brommapojkarna are fifth last with 10 points after nine matchweeks and were beaten 1-0 by Mjallby on May 19, while AIK come into the clash with 23 points after 11 games but were held to a goalless stalemate by Malmo on Thursday.
Match preview
The hosts were arguably unfortunate to lose against Mjallby given they faced just two shots from inside their box, and their xG tally of 1.43 was significantly more than the victors’ figure (0.62).
Brommapojkarna have now failed to find the back of the net in two of their three most recent games, and have not scored in four of their nine league matches this term.
Manager Ulf Kristiansson‘s side are only two places and two points above the division’s relegation playoff spot, but they do boast the advantage of having a game in hand on the four teams below them, as well as at least one game in hand on 10 of the clubs higher in the table.
BP have succumbed to three defeats in their last three, but they did win three and draw one of their prior four.
Brommapojkarna’s form at home has also been poor, with the team losing two of their past three at Grimsta IP.
Opponents AIK created just one big chance against Malmo and failed to produce a single shot on target, though they also restricted Malmo to one big chance.
Boss Mikkjal Thomassen will be concerned that his side have now failed to find the back of the net in their past two, but his team’s record of nine goals conceded makes them the division’s joint best defensive club.
Gnaget boast a strong record against their hosts given they are unbeaten in their last 19 fixtures against Brommapojkarna, winning on 15 occasions.
AIK are the only team in the top flight to have avoided defeat in the Allsvenskan, though their title bid has been hampered by dropping six points in their three most recent games.
The visitors have also drawn their past three away from home, but they did emerge victorious in their previous three on the road.
Team News
Brommapojkarna midfielder Liam Tahwildaran has been ruled out of Sunday’s match, and his absence may lead to the selection of Daleho Irandust, Kevin Ackermann and Wilmer Odefalk.
Given striker Nikola Vasic has suffered a knee injury, Ezekiel Alladoh and Victor Lind will likely be paired together up front.
Centre-backs Hlynur Freyr Karlsson, Even Hovland and Serge-Junior Ngouali started in defence last time out, and they can be expected to appear in the backline on the weekend.
As for AIK, Aron Csongvai and Anton Saletros could play in a double pivot considering they will be without midfielder Abdihakin Ali.
Defenders Eskil Smidesang Edh and Martin Ellingsen have been ruled out, so perhaps Mads Thychosen, Filip Benkovic, Sotirios Papagiannopoulos and Thomas Isherwood will be stationed in a back four.
Centre-forward John Guidetti is the most probable candidate to lead the line ahead of attackers Victor Andersson, Bersant Celina and Jere Uronen, especially as wingers Andreas Redkin and Danilo Al-Saed are injured.
Brommapojkarna possible starting lineup:
Blazevic; Karlsson, Hovland, Ngouali; Andersson, Irandust, Ackermann, Odefalk, Zanden; Alladoh, Lind
AIK Fotboll possible starting lineup:
Nordfeldt; Thychosen, Benkovic, Papagiannopoulos, Isherwood; Csongvai, Saletros; Andersson, Celina, Uronen; Guidetti
We say: Brommapojkarna 0-1 AIK Fotboll
AIK are likely to avoid defeat on Sunday given they have proven to be one of the division’s most resilient sides so far this term.
Brommapojkarna have also found it difficult to achieve positive results against the visitors, and it would not be surprising if they lost once again.
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