Preview: Aalborg BK vs. Silkeborg - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, Silkeborg are guaranteed to finish in third spot in the qualification round, enough to ensure that they are not in contention for the drop.

Match preview

Having finished in fifth place last season, Aalborg would not have expected to find themselves in a relegation fight at this stage of the following campaign.

However, eight defeats in nine games either side of the World Cup break has contributed to AaB needing three points on Saturday to guarantee their survival in the top flight.

Oscar Hiljemark's side have shown signs of life since the beginning of the relegation round, at one stage putting together a five-match unbeaten run that led to nine points.

Since then, though, back-to-back defeats have been posted against FC Midtjylland and Lyngby Boldklub, the latter result giving hope to one of the teams below them.

That said, before losing at home to the form team in the bottom half of the table, Hiljemark's side had won their previous two fixtures at Aalborg Portland Park without conceding a goal.

From the perspective of Silkeborg, they are bidding to end a hugely disappointing campaign on a high note with third spot in the relegation round already being secured.

Although they are undefeated in three games, it is a far cry from last season's third place and subsequent participation in the Europa Conference League group stages.

Kent Nielsen can be satisfied with the most recent three matches with wins over the bottom two teams in the division being followed by a comeback 3-3 draw versus Midtjylland.

That resurgence follows a stint of just one success in 11 outings, and there will now be every confidence that they can showcase their class against their under-pressure hosts.

Aalborg BK Danish Superliga form:

D

W

W

D

L

L

Silkeborg Danish Superliga form:

D

L

L

W

W

D

Team News

Aalborg may be forced into at least one change with defender Rasmus Thelander needing to be withdrawn shortly into the second half last time out.

Jakob Ahlmann could be drafted into the back four, but Pedro Ferreira may keep his place in midfield despite his early substitution at Lyngby.

Meanwhile, Alexander Lind may have to make do with a spot on the Silkeborg bench despite scoring their late leveller versus Midtjylland.

Kasper Kusk could return on the right flank, though, to take the place of Soren Tengstedt.

Iceland international Stefan Teitur Thordarson is also an option in the centre of midfield.

Aalborg BK possible starting lineup:

Mantl; Ludewig, Granli, Kramer, Ahlmann; Fossum, Ferreira, Hojholt; Bakiz, Helenius, Andersen

Silkeborg possible starting lineup:

Larsen; Sonne, Salquist, Felix, Engel; Klynge, Brink, Thordarson; Kusk, Adamsen, Jorgensen

We say: Aalborg BK 1-1 Silkeborg

Silkeborg are the better team of the two and playing with a greater freedom naturally provides them with advantages. Nevertheless, we feel that Aalborg will do enough for a share of the spoils, which would leave them hoping that the teams below them also play out a stalemate.

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