Preview: IFK Goteborg vs. Varbergs BoIS
Round 14 in the Swedish Allsvenskan sees second-bottom IFK Goteborg play host to cellar-dwelling Varbergs BoIS at Gamla Ullevi on Monday.
Both sides are out of form, with only one win secured between them after 26 games this season.
Goteborg should look forward to hosting Varberg under normal circumstances, but the Angels’ one win in 13 league games means they go into the 14th gameweek in wretched form.
Their only victory of the season was at Gamla Ullevi at the start of May, with two draws secured either side of that 6-0 thrashing of Degerfors.
That triumph was an anomaly, evidenced by an absence of goals on their turf, resulting in three defeats from six matches played in Gothenburg.
For a side that has played in the top tier since 1977, this year represents a challenge to their top-flight status, although they are only two points adrift of AIK, who occupies the relegation playoff spot.
Jens Berthel Askou was appointed a month ago, and the new boss hopes to be third-time lucky after failing to secure wins in his opening two league games.
Varbergs are in worse shape than Monday’s hosts, a damning indictment of a season likely to end in the ignominy of relegation if they do not experience a turnaround.
Martin Skogman took charge of the bottom side’s 2-0 loss at Djurgarden on July 2 after Joakim Persson left his role after five years in the job, and the unknown Skogman will aim to secure the away side’s first win of the season.
The Halland County club have netted eight times in 13 games, while the goals conceded column shows they have let in 26 strikes, effectively two goals a game.
They have netted five times in six road matches, conceding 12 times, and it is no surprise that it has resulted in a couple of away points all season.
Success on Monday would take the bottom side level with Goteborg on eight points, but an inferior goal difference means they will remain bottom.
IFK Goteborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:
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Varbergs BoIS Swedish Allsvenskan form:
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We say: IFK Goteborg 1-0 Varbergs BoIS
Goteborg have lost only one of their last four home games, a 1-0 loss to Mjallby, and they could secure a second victory on their turf with a marginal triumph over a Varbergs side that does not travel well.