Second-placed Elfsborg will attempt to close the five-point gap to league leaders Malmo when they welcome Hammarby to the Boras Arena on Monday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into the contest in ninth position after collecting 16 points from their 13 top-flight matches.

Match preview

Since opening the campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Hacken, Elfsborg have embarked on an 11-game unbeaten run where they have recorded nine victories and two draws.

Elfsborg claimed a narrow 2-1 victory against AIK in their most recent competitive outing thanks to first-half strikes from Jeppe Okkels and Jacob Ondrejka.

After registering 28 goals in 12 games, Jimmy Thelin's side are currently the third-highest scorers in the top flight, and they have also been an effective force in the defensive third.

Having conceded just 10 league goals this season, Monday's hosts currently share the joint-best defensive record with Malmo.

Elfsborg will have the chance to extend their unbeaten home run to six league games after dropping just two points in their last five matches at the Boras Arena.

Hammarby can claim consecutive victories in Monday's encounter after they claimed a dramatic home win over Brommapojkarna in their most recent fixture.

The contest looked set to end in a draw after Brommapojkarna's Ludvig Fritzon cancelled out Nahir Besara's 15th-minute opener, but there was to be late drama, as Jusef Erabi netted the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snatch all three points.

With all four of their league wins arriving on home turf, Hammarby will be hoping to record their first away victory of the season against Elfsborg.

After beginning the campaign with four consecutive defeats on their travels, the visitors have shown signs of improvement, playing out three straight away draws.

Having failed to win any of their last 12 competitive away meetings with Elfsborg, Hammarby are also looking to clinch their first away win over Monday's opponents since September 2007.

Team News

The hosts have doubts over the availability of Per Frick, who was forced off against AIK Stockholm after being introduced as a half-time substitute.

Elfsborg can no longer call upon the services of Ondrejka, who has completed a move to Belgian champions Royal Antwerp.

Alexander Bernhardsson could be brought into the forward line, where he is likely to be joined by Okkels and Sveinn Gudjohnsen.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the services of Mads Fenger and Bubacarr Trawally due to thigh and knee injuries respectively.

Jon Gudni Fjoluson is also sidelined for Hammarby, while Dennis Collander is ruled out for the rest of the season.

One of Hammarby's main goal threats with come from midfield, with their top scorer Besara looking to add to his four-goal league tally for the season.

Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Valdimarsson; Larsson, Holmen, Lagerbielke, Hult; Qasem, Baidoo, Romer; Bernhardsson, Okkels, Gudjohnsen

Hammarby possible starting lineup:
Dovin; Strand, Kurtulus, Pinas, Karlsson; Tekie, Sadiku, Besara; Madjed, Mikkelsen, Nalic

We say: Elfsborg 3-1 Hammarby

Elfsborg have won four of their last five top-flight home games, and we think they will claim another home win when they face a Hammarby side who are yet to win an away league match this season.


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