Our prediction for this Sweden Allsvenskan match:
All eyes will be on Friends Arena when AIK and Malmo square off against each other in the Allsvenskan derby on Saturday afternoon. AIK quickly bounced back from a 2-1 loss to Hacken, with the team beating Varberg on the road, but they will have a big fish to fry against the title holders. Midfielder Robin Tihi limped off with injury in the last league match, with Taha Ayari likely to step up. Forward Omar Faraj remains in the recovery room.
The Blues, on the other hand, suffered a heart-breaking 2-0 loss to Djurgarden on Monday evening, with the team dropping to third position in the standings. Since Malmo are eager to return to winning ways as soon as possible we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. Experienced defender Lasse Nielsen should be recalled to the starting XI, while both Anders Christiansen and Anton Tinnerholm remain on the sidelines with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Martin Olsson):
Martin Olsson is an experienced Swedish defender who has spent his entire professional career up to date in England. The left-sided defender came through the Hogaborgs BK academy, but he went on to join Blackburn Rovers before turning 18. Olsson quickly managed to nail down a regular starting berth at Ewood Park, and he made a total of 117 league appearances ahead of signing for Norwich City in the summer of 2013.
The Swedish left-back couldn’t help the Canaries avoid relegation to the Championship, but he featured in 45 league games as they secured a straight return to the elite division. Olsson was at times linked with top European clubs, but a big club move never materialised for him, although there is still time for him to make the next step.
Also capable of playing on the left wing, Olsson scored 5 goals in just over 30 outings for the Sweden national team, making three appearances at the Euro 2012 finals in Ukraine and Poland.
Highlighted Team (Malmo):
Founded on February 24, 1910, Malmo are a Swedish team that compete in Allsvenskan league. The Blues welcome their rivals at Stadion, Malmo, the venue which was opened in April, 2009. It is important to note that the stadium can hold up to 22,500 supporters of which 18,000 are seated.
Malmo are the most successful Swedish side, with the team winning their 23rd domestic trophy in 2017. The Blues finished the season seven points clear of AIK, scoring 63 goals and conceding 27 in the process. Speaking of the club’s European success, Malmo did well to make it to the European Cup final in the 1978/1979 season, but they eventually failed to win the trophy.
The Swedish side were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the title game (0-1), with Trevor John Francis scoring the only goal of the match. Malmo wear sky-blue shirts and white shorts when playing at home, whereas their away colour is black.