Preview: Halmstads BK vs. Varnamo - prediction, team news, lineups

While the host occupy fifth position in the Allsvenskan table, the visitors are sitting in 11th place after losing three of their last four matches.

Match preview

After beginning the Allsvenskan season with five defeats in eight matches, Halmstads BK have managed to experience an upturn in fortunes in recent times.

They are currently enjoying a six-game unbeaten league run (W4, D2), helping Magnus Haglund's side move onto 23 points.

In their most recent encounter, Halmstad beat Norkopping 2-1 thanks to goals from Viktor Granath and Naeem Mohammed, representing a fourth consecutive away victory.

While they have fared well on their travels, Saturday's hosts have struggled to replicate that form on home turf, having won just one of their last five home games.

Halmstads BK have failed to find the net in each of their last three home matches, highlighting a key area where they need to improve on home turf.

Meanwhile, Varnamo have experienced mixed fortunes this season, with their 14 league games yielding five wins and nine defeats.

After finishing June with back-to-back defeats, Kim Hellberg's side bounced back with a narrow 2-0 win over Degerfors on July 1.

They would have been hoping to claim successive victories for the first time this season when Gustav Engall opened the scoring in Saturday's home fixture against Djurgarden.

However, a Rasmus Schuller equaliser and an Oliver Berg own goal condemned Varnamo to a narrow 2-1 home defeat, leaving them five points above the drop zone.

The visitors will be looking for a response this weekend, and they will certainly take confidence from the fact that they have won two of their last three away games.

Halmstads BK Swedish Allsvenskan form:

W

W

D

W

D

W

Varnamo Swedish Allsvenskan form:

L

W

L

L

W

L

Team News

Joel Allansson is a doubt for the hosts after being forced off in the first half of Monday's 2-1 win over Norkopping.

Mohammed Naeem came off the bench to replace Allansson, and after going on to score the winning goal, he could be rewarded with a starting place.

Granath will retain his place in the forward line, and he will be looking to add to the six league goals he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon William Kenndal, while Kenan Bilalovic is a doubt due to an injury issue.

After starting the last three games for Varnamo, goalkeeper Filipp Voytekhovich is expected to keep his place in the side.

Viktor Bergh has had to settle for a place on the bench in the last two matches, but he could return to the starting lineup for Saturday's encounter.

Halmstads BK possible starting lineup:

Nilsson; Ofosu-Ayeh, Johansson, Baffo, Olsson; Mohammed, Svedberg, Al-Ammari, Karlsson; Ahlstrand, Granath

Varnamo possible starting lineup:

Voytekhovich; Larson, Eriksson, Grozdanic, Bergh; Thern, Nasstrom, Wenderson; Ademi, Engvall, Johansson

We say: Halmstads BK 2-1 Varnamo

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