Malmo are the most successful club in Sweden and look set to claim their 20th Swedish Championship title this season. With 18 games played, Malmo sit top of the Allsvenskan with 43 points to their name. This is a lead of 12 points over second place AIK, who have a game in hand. At this stage of the season, it appears the title is Malmo’s to lose.
Their opponents in this match are Kalmar, a team struggling near the foot of the table. Kalmar have won the Swedish Championship once in comparison to Malmo’s 19 times. Their sole victory came in 2008 and they were also runners-up a year earlier. It seems very unlikely they are going to challenge this season and their main aim will now be to avoid the relegation zone.
Malmo Form
Malmo come into this match having won all their previous 3 Allsvenskan games. These victories have come after the very disappointing exit to Vardar in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. In the Allsvenskan, Malmo are undefeated in their previous 8 games and have tasted defeat just once in their 18 league games this season. The loss came at home to Norrkoping towards the end of May.
The defeat to Norrkoping was only Malmo’s second defeat in 21 home league games. The clean sheet kept in Malmo’s last home league match was their first in 7 games and they have been struggling defensively at the Swedbank Stadion, conceding 11 goals in those 7 matches.
Kalmar Form
Kalmar travel to Malmo for this game on Friday night in great spirits having won their last 3 games in a row in the Allsvenskan. Having won only 2 games from their first 15 in the league, Kalmar have now won 5 in their last 18 thanks to this good run of form. There have been good 2-0 and 1-0 home wins against AFC Eskilstuna and IFK Goteborg and an excellent 1-0 away win at AIK. That shock win at AIK was Kalmar’s first away Allsvenskan victory in 9 attempts and their first clean sheet in 11 on the road.
Team News
Malmo must continue without central defender Felipe Carvalho who is injured. Striker Markus Rosenberg was sent off last week and will miss this game due to suspension. Kalmar have doubts over defensive midfielder Rasmus Elm and winger Tobias Eriksson who look set to miss the game due to injury.
Top Betting Tips
Looking at Malmo’s general home record and Kalmar’s away record, there appears to be only one winner in this game, despite Kalmar’s recent good form. Malmo are 2/5 favourites to win the match with William Hill.However, Kalmar will be starting this match with the belief they can do well and even if they lose the game, it could be by a very small margin. Malmo to win by a single goal is 23/10 with Ladbrokes. Kalmar have scored in each of their last 4 away games and Malmo have conceded in 6 of their last 7 at home. Malmo to win the match 2-1 is on offer at 15/2 with Ladbrokes.