Preview: Malmo vs. Union SG - prediction, team news, lineups

In sharp contrast, Malmo have already been eliminated from European competition this campaign having suffered four successive defeats in Group D.

Match preview

When Union SG were drawn alongside Union Berlin and Braga, they would have felt hard done-by having previously blown an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

Nevertheless, the Belgian outfit have responded in some style, collecting 10 points from four games to put themselves on the brink of booking a spot in the last 16 of this competition.

Away wins have already been recorded in Germany and Portugal, and Karel Geraerts will back his side to make it three victories on their travels in Sweden.

In total, Union SG are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions, with a five-game winning streak in the league coming to an end on Friday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Club Brugge.

However, Les Unionistes came from two goals down with 10 men to earn a share of the spoils at home to one of their rivals, maintaining their momentum ahead of this contest.

As for Malmo, they are now a shadow of the side that they were under Jon Dahl Tomasson with their current winless streak standing at seven matches in all competitions.

Losing four games in this competition has left Malmo out of the running for the Europa Conference League, while they are all the way down in seventh spot in Sweden's top flight.

Age Hareide is already unable to secure European football for next season, and there is every sign that a rebuilding job is going to have to take place over the coming months.

Malmo actually led the reverse fixture in Belgium on two occasions, only to concede twice in three second-half minutes to allow their hosts to collect all three points in a 3-2 triumph.

Malmo Europa League form:

W

W

L

L

L

L

Malmo form (all competitions):

L

D

L

L

L

L

Union SG Europa League form:

W

W

W

D

Union SG form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

W

D

Team News

Malmo will be without Emmanuel Lomotey after his dismissal during the closing stages of the defeat against Union Berlin last time out.

Having recently made his return from injury, defender Matej Chalus could be handed his first opportunity in the group stages of this competition during 2022-23.

After pushing league leaders Hacken in their most recent domestic fixture, Hareide may be prepared to stick with the remainder of the team.

Loic Lapoussin is in line for a recall to the Union SG side after impressing as a substitute against Brugge at the weekend.

Simon Adingra, who was sent off during the early stages of that game, could drop down to the substitutes' bench, but the rest of the side may stay the same.

Malmo possible starting lineup:

Dahlin; Rakip, Chalus, Hadzikadunic, Beijmo; Pena, Larsson, Christiansen; Sejdiu, Kiese Thelin, Zeidan

Union SG possible starting lineup:

Moris; Sykes, Kandouss, Burgess; Nieuwkoop, Lyne, Teuma, Amani, Lapoussin; Boniface, Vanzeir

We say: Malmo 1-2 Union SG

Despite their contrasting records in this competition during 2022-23, Malmo have been far more competitive than you would assume. Nevertheless, with little to play for, we do not expect the Swedish outfit to go the extra mile to match Union SG, who are motivated to earn qualification with a game to spare.

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