Preview: Malmo vs. Mjallby AIF - prediction, team news, lineups

A minor blip in late May has already been forgotten about after a return to form has seen Henrik Rydstrom's side maintain top spot in the Swedish top flight.

Match preview

Despite having current champions Hacken and Elfsborg both in pursuit, Malmo have continued a fine run of form to remain top of the Allsvenskan throughout June.

Excellent home form has been a big factor in that, as a draw with Hacken are the only points they have dropped at the Eleda Stadion this season.

A heavy defeat away at Elfsborg the week previous was their first stumble after winning all of their opening eight games of the season, but they have ensured they took full advantage of facing weaker opposition, by winning three in a row since.

After a seventh-place finish last year, there are no European distractions for Malmo as the qualification for UEFA's continental competitions commences this month.

Therefore, that could give them a slight advantage over Hacken, who begin their qualifying campaign next week, which could cause a distraction and additional fatigue to one of their title challengers.

Malmo have a 100% winning record this season against sides outside of the top three, so Mjallby will likely be wary of the test ahead of them.

Their last game on the road saw them comfortably beaten by Hacken, but a win at Goteborg before that was a very important result given IFK's troubles.

That 1-0 scoreline epitomised their approach to many matches this season, as all four of Mjallby's league successes have been accompanied by a clean sheet.

Only bottom-placed Varberg have scored fewer than their 10, but Mjallby's defensive record is only bettered by the current top two.

However, despite their fine rearguard performances, it will be a huge ask to keep out a very potent Malmo attack.

They enter the weekend six points above the relegation zone which still includes both AIK and Goteborg, two sides expected to eventually recover from awful starts, so Mjallby will need to keep themselves a healthy distance away from the bottom.

Malmo Swedish Allsvenskan form:

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Mjallby AIF Swedish Allsvenskan form:

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Team News

Sebastian Nanasi will be one to watch again for Malmo with the attacker in blistering form having scored four in his last three outings.

That has taken his league tally to eight for the season, but that is still two short of Isaac Kiese Thelin, who has 10 in 11 matches.

Kiese Thelin returned from a month out injured to net a brace versus Sirius last week to reach double figures already in the first half of the season.

Hugo Larsson completed his permanent move to Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of the month, having made his farewell home appearance in the recent 5-0 thrashing of Degerfors.

Anders Christiansen remains out after picking up a nasty injury midway through May and will be sidelined alongside Derek Cornelius, Anton Tinnerholm and the recently-acquired Pontus Jansson, who missed the final two months of Brentford's season.

Mjallby have just two injury concerns heading into this one, with teenage duo Love Bjornson and Silas Nwankwo both absent.

Malmo possible starting lineup:

Dahlin; Ceesay, Nielsen, Moisander; Ali, Pena, Lewicki, Busanello; Nanasi, Kiese Thelin, Zeidan

Mjallby AIF possible starting lineup:

Tornqvist; Eile, Rosler, Petterson; Johansson, Gustafson, Gustavsson, Brorsson, Stahl; Fenger, Lofquist

We say: Malmo 3-0 Mjallby AIF

Malmo have been imperious against the weaker sides in the division this season, blowing many away with ease.

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