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

Mjallby, meanwhile, will be confident of claiming all three points themselves having won three of their last four away trips.

Match preview

Indeed, having only survived relegation by beating second tier outfit Osters IF 4-2 across two legs of the end of season relegation play-offs last November, Varbergs are at serious risk of being automatically demoted this time around.

Despite thrashing Halmstad 5-0 away from home in their last league match, Joakim Persson's side remain rock-bottom of the Swedish Allsvenskan, lying six points from safety ahead of hosting Mjallby this weekend.

They were promoted to Sweden's top flight for the first time in their history in 2019, comfortably surviving relegation in their opening two campaigns at this level, but they have since found the going much tougher and they will require an excellent second half of the season in order to survive.

While their surprisingly emphatic victory last time out will undoubtedly have boosted confidence and morale around the camp, Persson and his players will also be acutely aware that they have lost five consecutive home matches heading into this weekend's encounter, which is a record that can not persist if they are to have any chance of climbing out of the bottom two.

Mjallby, meanwhile, have finished ninth in each of their last two seasons, and that is exactly the position they find themselves occupying once again ahead of their trip to Varberg on Monday.

Anders Torstensson returned for a third spell in charge of the club earlier this calendar year, and the 57-year-old has stabilised them so far, with his side lying three points behind fifth place and five points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

As such, Mjallby will have their eyes set on replicating their sensational fifth-placed finish in their first season back at this level in 2020, following their promotion as champions alongside their forthcoming opponents in 2019.

As mentioned, Torstensson's side have gained nine points from a possible 12 across their last four away trips, making them favourites to return to Hallevik with a victory on Monday evening.

Varbergs BoIS Swedish Allsvenskan form:

L

L

W

L

L

W

Mjallby AIF Swedish Allsvenskan form:

L

D

W

L

W

L

Team News

Varbergs appear likely to remain without Gideon Mensah, Anton Liljenback and Oliver Alfonsi due to injury issues when they face Mjallby.

Having returned to winning ways in sensational style against Halmstad, it would be somewhat surprising if Persson made any alterations to his starting XI.

Mjallby, meanwhile, will travel without Jesper Adolfsson, Silas Nwanko and Adam Petersson due to ACL injuries, while Alexander Johansson is still struggling with his own knee issue.

Noah Eile, who is on loan from Malmo, could return to the visitors' defence in order to help shore things up after their 1-0 defeat to Djurgarden last time out.

Varbergs BoIS possible starting lineup:

Lukic; Lindner, Zackrisson, Stanisic; Sainte, Lushaku, Le Roux, Silverholt; Tranberg, Krasniqi, Junior

Mjallby AIF possible starting lineup:

Tornqvist; Kricak, Pettersson, Rosler; Johansson, Brorsson, Gustavsson, Jagne, Stahl; Lofquist, Fenger

We say: Varbergs BoIS 1-2 Mjallby AIF

Going by the form book, there is only one possible way to predict this outcome given that Varbergs have lost five straight games at home, in contrast to Mjallby winning three of their last four away matches.

However, the two sides had contrasting results last weekend and football is a funny old game, but we expect the visitors to prevail on another away patch.

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