Preview: Elfsborg vs. IFK Goteborg - prediction, team news, lineups

Thanks to a 4-0 victory over Kalmar last time out, Elfsborg sit one point clear of second-placed Malmo, while Goteborg find themselves second from bottom in the standings with a solitary win to their name.

Match preview

Elfsborg started their 2023 Allsvenskan campaign with a 2-0 loss against Hacken, but Jimmy Thelin's side have not tasted defeat since the opening weekend of the season, picking up 11 wins and two draws along the way.

Following an eight-game winning streak across April and May, Elfsborg were held to a 1-1 draw by Djurgardens IF, but they have since secured three successive victories, including last weekend's 4-0 demolition of Kalmar.

Having conceded just 10 goals in 14 matches this season, the Yellow Ones boast the best defensive record in the division, with seven clean sheets coming since the beginning of the campaign.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Elfsborg have been scoring goals for fun, netting at least two goals in 10 of their 14 outings while bagging at least four goals on four occasions, so the Boras outfit are excelling in every department.

By contrast, IFK Goteborg have managed to win just one of their 14 Allsvenskan matches this season, recording five wins and eight losses in the process, while only bottom club Varbergs BoIS have scored fewer goals than the Angels' 12.

After losing each of their opening four clashes at the beginning of the campaign, Jens Berthel Askou's side chalked up a five-game unbeaten run of one win and four draws in May, but it has been all downhill since then.

Indeed, Goteborg have recorded one draw and four losses across their previous five outings, conceding nine goals while firing three blanks, so it is easy to understand why the Angels find themselves in such a predicament.

Worse still, Goteborg have taken only three points from a possible 21 on their travels this term, recording three draws and four losses away from home, and Askou's men are not expected to pick up their first away win of the season against table-topping Elfsborg.

Elfsborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:

W

W

D

W

W

W

IFK Goteborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:

D

L

L

L

D

L

Team News

Elfsborg right-back Viktor Widell remains sidelined due to a cruciate ligament injury, meaning that Johan Larsson will continue in the hosts' backline on Sunday, with Niklas Hult occupying the opposite full-back role.

With five goals and two assists to his name this season, Jeppe Okkels will operate on the left wing, while Alexander Bernhardsson and Ahmed Qasem will also offer attacking support to lone striker Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen.

On the flip side, IFK Goteborg have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of Sunday's clash, meaning that Jens Berthel Askou has a full-strength squad at his disposal.

Veteran striker Marcus Berg will aim to enhance his tally of three goals in 14 league games, with Thomas Christensen and Gustaf Norlin joining the 36-year-old in the visitors' forward line.

Goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg is expected to retain his place between the sticks despite Goteborg's defensive struggles, while Gustav Svensson and Johan Bangsbo look set to start at centre-back.

Elfsborg possible starting lineup:

Valdimarsson; Larsson, Holmen, Lagerbielke, Hult; Baidoo, Boateng; Bernhardsson, Qasem, Okkels; Gudjohnsen

IFK Goteborg possible starting lineup:

Dahlberg; Hausner, Svensson, Bengsbo, Wendt; Hagen, Carlen, Kahed; Christensen, Berg, Norlin

We say: Elfsborg 3-0 IFK Goteborg

When you couple Elfsborg's relentless form with Goteborg's woeful record this season, all the signs point towards a straightforward home win at the Boras Arena.

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