Preview: Elfsborg vs IFK Goteborg - prediction, team news, lineups

Less than three weeks since their last meeting in Sweden's Allsvenskan, Elfsborg and IFK Goteborg will reconvene on Monday, when the pair clash at Boras Arena.

After Di Gule won in Gothenburg earlier this month, they now aim to do the double by winning again on home turf.

Match preview

Despite starting the 2025 campaign by taking just a point from their first two fixtures, Elfsborg have kept themselves in the mix for European qualification.

A side that finished seventh last term are within three points of Sweden's top three, having recently entered the second half of the season.

Though they lost 1-0 away to Djurgarden last time out, Oscar Hiljemark's men have impressed on home turf so far, winning more than half of their league games and losing just twice.

So, Elfsborg - who memorably beat Roma in the Europa League last October - are still pushing for a return to continental competition.

Ahead of Monday's meeting, Di Gule sit four points above IFK in the Allsvenskan standings, having beaten the Gothenburg side 2-1 in early July, when Rasmus Wikstrom struck twice to secure maximum points.

With a run of four losses and one draw from their last five visits, IFK may travel to Boras in some trepidation.

The Blavitt have, though, won five of eight away games so far this season, which represents one of the best road records in Sweden's top flight.

Slipping into mid-table, Stefan Billborn's side have been a little inconsistent of late, but they claimed all three points against struggling Sirius last weekend.

Just before the hour mark, David Kruse capitalised on an error in the hosts' defence to score the only goal, preserving IFK's grip on seventh spot.

Eighteen-time national champions - but most recently in 2007 - Goteborg really need to win again on Monday if they are to stay in the race for Europe.

However, a meagre haul of one win from their last 11 meetings with Elfsborg suggests that may prove a tall task.

Elfsborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:

IFK Goteborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:

Team News

Elfsborg midfielder Simon Olsson must serve a suspension on Monday, but Hiljemark should have an otherwise full squad to choose from: Simon Hedlund and Wikstrom are both back in the fold after serving bans.

Brothers Arber Zeneli and Besfort Zeneli are candidates to start in midfield, while Hedlund is a regular fixture on the right flank - the latter has registered four goals and four assists this season.

Once again, top scorer Frederik Ihler is set to start up front for the hosts, with Danish striker Max Fenger leading IFK's attack.

Anders Trondsen, Lucas Kahed and Ramon-Pascal Lundqvist are all unavailable due to injury, alongside long-term absentee Arbnor Mucolli.

In better news for Billborn, veteran defender and club captain Gustav Svensson is closing in on a comeback, while Hussein Carneil hopes to recover from an illness.

Elfsborg possible starting lineup:

Eriksson; Holmen, Buhari, Wikstrom; Hedlund, B. Zeneli, Thomasen, Wenderson, Hult; Silverholt, Ihler

IFK Goteborg possible starting lineup:

Bishesari; Santos, Bager, Erlingmark, Tolf; Kruse, Thordarson; Clemmensen, Heintz, Alioum; Fenger

We say: Elfsborg 2-1 IFK Goteborg

Averaging over two goals per game as hosts this term, Elfsborg are usually tough to beat in Boras.

IFK may have picked up a few good results on the road, but defeating their bogey team may again be beyond them.

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