Our prediction for this Sweden Allsvenskan match:
Buoyed by a 3-1 win over Varnamo, Malmo will look to climb to top position when they take on Halmstad in a highly-anticipated Allsvenskan game. The Blues are eyeing their eighth home win of the process and we are positive that they will stick to their attacking style of play. A man to watch in the home side will be experienced forward Isaac Kiese Thelin, who scored a brace in the last league match, while defender Busanello misses out through suspension.
Magnus Haglund’s troops, on the other hand, failed to win the previous three league fixtures and seeing that they experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 5-0 loss to Varberg, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. Malte Pahlsson is widely expected to replace fellow goalkeeper Malkolm Nilsson between the sticks as the 30-year-old failed to impress in the embarrassing defeat to Varberg.
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.