The 2017 Allsvenskan season has been a huge disappointment for IFK Goteborg and they need to win their match on Thursday evening to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. However, they take on second place AIK at the Nya Ullevi and have their work cut out to win maximum points.
IFK Goteborg are the second most successful team in Swedish football history, having won 18 Swedish Championship titles. They have also won the UEFA Cup twice, the only club in the Nordic countries to have won a major European trophy.
However, you must go back to 2007 to find the last time they won the Allsvenskan and they are certainly not going to win it this season.
AIK have won the Swedish Championship 11 times and remain the closest club to Malmo in the title race this season, despite being 12 points adrift of the league leaders.
IFK Goteborg Form
IFK Goteborg have won only 1 of their previous 5 Allsvenskan games, picking up just 5 points from the 18 available.
A look back further this season shows IFK Goteborg have picked up only 2 wins from their last 9 league games and this explains why they are so low in the table, sitting 6 points off the relegation playoff place.
However, IFK Goteborg remain very tough to beat at home and are undefeated in their 8 home league games this season. Unfortunately, they have won only 2 of those games with the other 6 being draws but you must go back to April 2015 to find the last time they lost a home league match.
IFK Goteborg have scored in every home league game this season but kept just a single clean sheet.
AIK Form
AIK responded well to being eliminated from the Europa League last Thursday night by defeating Sirius 4-1 away from home in the Allsvenskan last weekend.
That was AIK’s first win in 4 competitive matches having previously been held by Sporting Braga at home in Europe and losing 1-0 at home to Kalmar in the Allsvenskan.
League form has been quite good and the defeat to Kalmar was AIK’s only loss in their last 7 league games. In fact, they have lost only 2 of their last 13 in the Allsvenskan and 4 all season. Recent away form has been very good and AIK have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last 6 away league games.
Team News
IFK Goteborg may be without defender Benjamin Yapi Zalo who is struggling with a hamstring injury and John Alvbage is rated as doubtful due to a finger injury.
AIK have no injury concerns ahead of this game and should be able to start their strongest XI. Chinedu Obasi is expected to lead the attack in a 4-4-2 formation.
Top Betting Tips
IFK Goteborg put their unbeaten home record on the line once more and having defeated AIK in 3 of their last 4 competitive meetings will feel they can win this game. However, AIK have been excellent away from home recently and can pick up a point. The draw is 11/5 with Ladbrokes.
IFK Goteborg have scored in every home match but struggled to keep clean sheets. AIK have scored 8 goals in their last 3 away league games. A draw and both teams to score is 13/4 at Ladbrokes.
Finally, IFK Goteborg have recorded five 1-1 draws at home in the Allsvenskan this season. William Hill offer 11/2 for this match to end 1-1.