Vasteras SK are set to host Brommapojkarna at Hitachi Energy Arena on Sunday in Sweden's Allsvenskan.
The home side are rooted to the bottom of the table in 16th place with four points, while the away side are in 10th place and have 13 points, just five from Europa Conference League qualification and two ahead of 14th-placed Norrkoping who occupy the league's relegation playoff spot.
Match preview
Vasteras have had a disastrous season so far as, while they still have 20 games left to play, they are already seven points from safety and are cut adrift at the foot of the table, while also having the league's worst goal difference of minus 10.
The hosts began the league season with four straight losses before picking up their first win against Mjallby, but that was then followed by four more losses and a draw in their next five.
However, perhaps this poor start should have been expected given that this is the club's first season back in the top flight since 1997.
Having said that, manager Kalle Karlsson might still have hoped for better from his team, especially considering that they have only scored in two Allsvenskan fixtures, and have failed to score in four of their five home matches.
Karlsson has been at the club since August 2021, and at the start of 2023 he was given greater say over transfers after the departure of sporting director Herman Ottosson.
It would be unfair to place too much expectation on Vasteras considering their inexperience in the division, but if they hope to avoid relegation then a positive result on Sunday would be a good start.
Brommapojkarna have had a mixed campaign so far, winning three, drawing four and losing three games.
Though they did win last weekend against Norrkoping, the visitors recorded no victories in any of their prior five league fixtures.
This is manager Olof Mellberg's second spell in charge of the club after initially coaching the side between January 2016 and December 2017.
Last season Mellberg returned to take charge of newly-promoted Brommapojkarna and helped them finish 14th, avoiding relegation with a record of 1.1 points per game.
This year his side are averaging an improved 1.3 points per game, and he will hope that this continues.
As for the clash on Sunday itself, the visitors will look to rectify their poor defensive showing this term, as their 18 goals conceded is currently the fourth worst in the league.
Team News
Vasteras come into the game with no major injury concerns, but they do have doubts over both goalkeeper Anton Fagerstrom and Alexander Thongla-Iad Warneryd due to illnesses.
Defender Frederic Nsabiyumva returned from a hamstring injury in his side's last outing against Sirius, and he can be expected to continue in defence.
Meanwhile, the away side have more injury concerns to contend with, including the absence of both Liam Jordan and Kevin Ackermann as a result of knee issues that are likely to keep them out of action until September.
Elsewhere, midfielders Daleho Irandust and Gustav Sandberg Magnusson are expected to be out until June and will play no part in the game on Sunday.
Vasteras SK possible starting lineup:
Fagerstrom; Marques, Nsabiyumva, Douglas; Gefvert, Linday, Magnusson, Larsson; Johansson, Ali, Aslund
Brommapojkarna possible starting lineup:
Sidklev; Jensen, Abrahamsson, Calisir, Heggem; Odefalk, Fritzson, Waker; Andersson, Vassic, Christensen
We say: Vasteras SK 0-2 Brommapojkarna
Vasteras have performed admirably from a defensive perspective as, despite being bottom of the table, they have conceded the fourth fewest goals in the division, though they have only recorded one clean sheet this term.
Additionally, when considering that the hosts have also only scored three goals in the Allsvenskan, it is fair to say that Brommapojkarna come into the game as strong favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
