Djurgardens IF will be desperate to halt a run of back-to-back defeats when they welcome Hacken to the 3Arena for matchday 11 of the Swedish Allsvenskan.

While the hosts come into this clash reeling from a heavy loss at Elfsborg, the visitors arrive on the back of a more uplifting outing, having secured a win over struggling Varnamo.

Match preview

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The warning signs have been hard to miss for Djurgardens in recent weeks, with their defensive frailties laid bare after shipping seven goals across their last two games, losing 3-1 at home to Mjallby before falling 4-0 at Elfsborg.

Having finished fourth on 53 points last season, expectations were considerably higher for the Iron Stoves heading into this campaign, but a return of just 11 points from nine games paints a bleak picture, leaving them in 11th place and only two points clear of the drop zone.

Djurgardens' struggles have been particularly glaring in the final third, with a mere six goals scored all season – the fewest tally in the division – highlighting a toothless attack that has failed to click into gear.

Despite the gloom, Jarnkaminerna can draw some encouragement from their recent record against Hacken, having won two of the last three meetings between the sides, although the previous edition of this fixture at the 3Arena ended in a 3-3 draw.

Still, the Blue Stripes's fortunes at home this season offer little reassurance, with only one win from five attempts and just five points collected on their own patch – hardly the return of a team ready to mount a serious turnaround.

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Hacken, on the other hand, arrive with a degree of momentum after ending a two-game winless spell with a 2-0 success over Varnamo.

Samuel Leach Holm took centre stage with a well-taken brace in that contest, and the midfielder will again be counted on to provide the spark as the Wasps go in search of consecutive league victories for the first time this term.

The win lifted Hacken to sixth in the table with 14 points from 11 matches, though their campaign has been far from consistent, with 16 goals scored and 17 conceded.

Away from home, the Wasps have managed two wins from four league outings – balanced by two defeats – and tellingly, they failed to find the net in both of those setbacks.

Team News

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Daniel Stensson was shown a red card for violent conduct in the clash against Elfsborg, meaning the 28-year-old midfielder will play no role for Djurgardens here as he begins his suspension.

The hosts have shared their six goals among different players so far this season, and with Tokmac Nguen already chipping in, the forward could be trusted to spearhead the attack this time.

That narrow win over Varnamo came at a price for Hacken, who may be forced to do without Adam Lundkvist and Filip Ohman after both were withdrawn during that encounter due to injury concerns.

Amid those setbacks, Tomas Holm took his tally to four for the campaign last time out, and the attacking burden could fall squarely on his shoulders once again.

Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:
Manojlovic; Bergvall, Larsson, Danielson, Kosugi; Finndell, Siltanen; Haarala, Gulliksen, Priske; Nguen.

Hacken possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Engdahl, Zecevic, Lode, Jansson; Andersen, Holm, Rygaard; Layouni, Hrstic, Lindberg.

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We say: Djurgardens IF 1-1 Hacken

Although Djurgardens have had the upper hand in recent meetings between these sides, their current struggles in front of goal — just three in five outings — suggest they may only come away with a share of the spoils this time, making a draw the most likely outcome.


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

Written by
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi

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