Hacken take on Mjallby AIF on Sunday in a repeat of last month's Swedish Cup Final.
Hacken ran out 4-1 winners in that match, and they could move to the top of the league table with another victory against the same opponents this weekend.
Match preview
Indeed, Hacken are enjoying a golden era in the club's history, having secured their first-ever Swedish Allsvenskan title last season.
Managed by Per-Mathias Hogmo since 2021, the former Norway boss wrote his name into Hacken's history books for eternity by cruising to Sweden's top-flight championship in his first full season in charge.
Hogmo and his players went on to win the club's third Swedish Cup by beating Mjallby in last month's cup final at Strandvallen in Hallevik, while they are still in the hunt to retain their title.
Malmo are three points ahead of Hacken at the top of the table, although Hogmo's side have played one more match ahead of this weekend's action. Having returned to winning ways by beating Varbergs BolS last time out, they could use a winning run to build momentum across the coming weeks.
Mjallby, meanwhile, are locked in mid-table once again after finishing ninth last season.
Unlike their forthcoming opponents, Mjallby have never tasted success in Sweden's top flight, having recently been promoted as champions from the second tier in 2019.
In fact, their run to the final of the Swedish Cup was the first time they had ever reached the final of that competition, making head coach Anders Torstensson a hugely popular figure at the club after taking over for his third spell in charge earlier this year.
Given that they already sit eight points clear of the relegation zone after 11 matches, Mjallby should have no concerns about returning to the division below any time soon, while hoping to kick on and move upwards in the table across the coming months.
Team News
Hacken will be without Samuel Gustafson due to suspension after his straight red card against Varbergs, with the midfielder's teammates sparing his blushes by going on to win without him.
Kadir Hodzic is struggling with illness at present and therefore unlikely to be involved, while Oscar Uddenas, Ibrahim Sadiq, Tobias Carlsson, Tobias Sana and Ali Youssef are all sidelined through injury.
Mjallby, meanwhile, will travel without Ivan Kricak after he received a costly booking after coming on as a substitute against Goteborg last time out.
Silas Nwankwo and Adam Petersson both remain out of action due to long-term ACL injuries.
Hacken possible starting lineup:
Abrahamsson; Fridriksson, Sandberg, Hovland, Hansen; Rygaard, Si Gustafson, Romeod; Sonko, Traore, Larsen
Mjallby AIF possible starting lineup:
Tornqvist; Eile, Rosler, Pettersson; Johansson, Gustavsson, Stahl, Brorsson, Rosengren; Johansson, Fenger
We say: Hacken 3-1 Mjallby AIF
Hacken will have taken plenty of confidence from winning with 10 men for almost 50 minutes of normal time last time out, as well as beating Mjallby in last month's cup final.
The visitors are an improving outfit for sure, but they may find themselves outclassed against the reigning champions once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
