IFK Goteborg takes on Hammarby when in Wednesday evening both clubs will try to boost their positioning. After opening weeks of the 2017 Allsvenskan season we find IFK Goteborg and Hammarby both having only one win in four games, so their winning intention should be even greater.
Allsvenskan: IFK Goteborg vs Hammarby 26.04.2017
IFK Goteborg returns at its “Gamla Ullevi” after a third 1-1 draw in the season, when on Sunday evening “The Blåvitt” had a challenge in Östersund. In fact guests from Goteborg can be pleased with the final outcome since Jörgen Lennartsson’s men were losing until the 93rd minute, when right-back Emil Salomonsson successfully executed a penalty.
An upcoming clash against Hammarby will be IFK Goteborg’s third attempt for winning at home and Jörgen Lennartsson surely took some notes after previous two games. “Angels” from Goteborg opened the score in both occasions but couldn’t hold their lead – ties vs reigning champion Malmö FF and vs a newly promoted AFC Eskilstuna. Their only win was on the road when IFK Goteborg won against another newcomer in top-tier of Swedish football – 0-2 vs IK Sirius. It’s interesting to note that victory over Sirius is an only fixture where the club from Uppsala conceded goals in four rounds and thus they are second in current standings. However, that win has been followed by a disappointing home draw vs AFC Eskilstuna who are 15th, which shows how balanced the Allsvenskan really is.
The only success of Hammarby came in round three when they won 2-1 over their Stockholm rivals AIK. Besides a notable comeback in one of the Stockholm derbies, Hammarby lost 2-1 in Norrköping and drew twice at home – 1-1 vs Kalmar and a goalless draw vs GIF Sundsvall on Sunday.
All mentioned results are placing IFK Goteborg on the sixth position with six points, whilst Hammarby is two positions down, with a point less.
Match Preview: Team News, Squads and Missing Players
IFK Goteborg seeks first home win in the 2017 Allsvenskan and Jörgen Lennartsson will chase it without few injured players. Scott Jamieson, Benjamin Zalo, Mads Albæk and Patrik Karlsson Lagemyr were all left out from the group but Icelandic number 9 Elías Már Ómarsson is in. Ómarsson picked up an injury and was replaced in first-half against Östersunds FK so his presence in the starting XI looks questionable. Tobias Hysén and Mikael Boman compete to replace him on top of Goteborg’s 4-2-3-1 formation but the latter looks favourite to feature from the outset.
Hammarby’s coach has his own concerns apart from injuries of Croatian left-back Mario Musa, defensive midfielder Johan Persson and striker Romulo. Jakob Michelsen will follow situation around midfielder Leo Bengtsson and captain Kennedy Bakircioglu, who are both ill and respectively doubtful. Kennedy is a living-legend of Hammarby and despite his advanced football age (36), he still plays a crucial role in the squad. He also missed last weekend’s draw against GIF Sundsvall at the “Tele2 Arena” in Stockholm and that was first match where Hammarby couldn’t score in the 2017 Allsvenskan. Of course, Kennedy is far from his best years but his playmaking skills and creativity have certain contribution and provide more chances for all others.
Last update: Hammarby travels to Goteborg without injured Stefan Batan, Mario Musa, Johan Persson, Romulo, as well as without Leo Bengtsson and Kennedy Bakircioglu.
IFK Goteborg vs Hammarby Betting Prediction
IFK Goteborg are favourites to scoop the whole set of points from Hammarby and this is for a reason. Goteborg are doing quite well when Hammarby arrives in town and have won their last five home fixtures against “Bajen”.
All these records are in the past but we believe Goteborg have a good chance to win its first three home points on Wednesday night. Our prediction recommends 1X2 betting in IFK Goteborg’s favour. “The Blåvitt” will deal with Hammarby’s resistance.
Venue: “Gamla Ullevi”, Göteborg.
Referee: Stefan Johannesson.
Possible Lineups of IFK Goteborg and Hammarby
IFK Göteborg: Pontus Dahlberg – Emil Salomonsson, Thomas Rogne, Mattias Bjärsmyr, David Boo Wiklander – Mikkel Diskerud, Abdul Razak – Henrik Björdal, Sören Rieks, Sebastian Eriksson – Mikael Boman. (4-2-3-1)
Hammarby IF: Ögmundur Kristinsson – Birkir Mar Saevarsson, Richard Magyar, Joseph Aidoo, Mats Solheim – Gershon Koffie – Arnor Smarason, Björn Paulsen, Serge-Junior Martinsson Ngouali, Jiloan Hamad – Pa Amat Dibba. (4-1-4-1)