Two sides involved in the Allsvenskan relegation battle will face off on Saturday when Degerfors play host to Sirius.

While both sides are level on 14 points, 12th-placed Sirius sit just above Degerfors in the league table on goal difference.

Match preview

After enduring a five-game winless run, Degerfors finally returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Brommapojkarna last weekend.

Degerfors fell behind in the first half, but they managed to turn the game on its head thanks to late goals from Johan Martensson and Erik Lindell.

Their fourth league win of the season moved Saturday's hosts four points clear of the drop zone, and they will be determined to extend that gap this weekend.

They have the chance to record consecutive victories in the Allsvenskan for the first time this season, while they are also hoping to claim their first clean sheet of the campaign.

Degerfors have looked vulnerable at the back this term, having conceded 37 goals in 15 matches to leave them with the worst defensive record in the top flight.

Sirius, meanwhile, began the season without a win in their opening nine league matches, before they embarked on a much-needed three-game winning run across May and June.

However, their encouraging spell of form was brought to an abrupt end by Malmo, who cruised to a 3-0 victory on July 1.

They looked set to pick up at least a point in Sunday's home game against Hammarby when Tashreeq Matthews cancelled out Jusef Erabi's opener, but a 74th-minute strike from Fredrik Hammar condemned Sirius to a narrow 2-1 loss.

Christer Mattiasson's side will now turn their focus to Saturday's contest, where they will be aiming to claim just their second away win of the season.

Having avoided defeat in their last four meetings with Degerfors (W3, D1), Sirius will be confident about their chances of recording a positive result.

Team News

The hosts will have to cope without the services of Dijan Vukojevic, who has been ruled out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last month.

Long-term absentee Nikola Djurdjic remains sidelined for Degerfors, with the 37-year-old still recovering from a serious knee injury that has kept him out since October.

After coming off the bench to mark his debut with a goal last weekend, Martensson could be presented with his first start for the club.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Filip Olsson, Andreas Murbeck and Patrik Karlsson.

Patrick Nwadike missed the defeat to Hammarby through suspension, but the defender is expected to return to the side against Degerfors.

After making his debut for Sirius last weekend, Henrik Castegren is expected to retain his place in the backline for Saturday's encounter.

Degerfors possible starting lineup:
Rossbach; Lindell, Granath, Bergqvist, Ohlsson, Gyau; Martensson, Gravius, Chaouche; Abdulla, Gwargis

Sirius possible starting lineup:
Tannander; Bjarnason, Voelkerling, Nwadike, Castegren, Widgren; Alsanati, Stensson, Vikman; Matthews, Persson

We say: Degerfors 1-2 Sirius

With the two sides level on points, we feel that Saturday's encounter will be a closely-fought contest, but we think that Sirius will draw inspiration from the fact that they have won three of the last four meetings between the two sides and go on to claim a narrow victory over Degerfors.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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