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

Gamla Ullevi will be the backdrop for a six-pointer in the Swedish Allsvenskan's race for Europe when GAIS welcome IFK Goteborg on Monday.

Makrillarna could make it four wins from five this week, while Blavitt will be looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time in over two months.

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Match preview

Fredrik Holmberg's GAIS are in impressive form ahead of this clash, and given that they are currently on an 11-game unbeaten streak, they will be expecting to avoid defeat at the very least.

In fact, Makrillarna have lost just twice in the top flight this season, and after winning seven times during their ongoing run, they are now sixth in the table with 32 points.

That being said, Holmberg's side were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom team Varnamo last Saturday, a disappointing result that saw third-placed Elfsborg - who occupy one of the division's spots for entry into the Conference League qualifiers - extend the gap between the clubs to three points.

Hoping to claw back ground, the hosts could take confidence from earning three wins from their four most recent home games, but considering that they have also failed to win 50% of their last six, it remains to be seen whether they can make the most of this high-stakes match.

Should GAIS take maximum points on Monday, then they could climb into the top three thanks to having the third-best goal difference in the league, though dropping points once again may see the gap grow to a more problematic six points.

Meanwhile, Stefan Billborn's Goteborg have alternated between victory and defeat across the six games prior to this clash, and it would be fair to say that their continental ambitions are at risk.

On Monday, Blavitt seized all three points in a 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Degerfors, marking their second clean sheet in three matches.

Those shutouts were Billborn's men's first since May, and they could take heart from their improved resolve, but the manager will be keen to stamp out the lapses of concentration that saw his team concede twice in stoppage during their 4-3 loss to Elfsborg in late July.

Regardless, Goteborg now find themselves seventh in the Allsvenskan with 28 points, four behind their opponents and seven short of the top three.

Aiming to regain some stability on Monday, Blavitt boast a respectable travelling record that features five victories from their nine away games this term, though they have won three and lost three of their last six.

GAIS Swedish Allsvenskan form:

IFK Goteborg Swedish Allsvenskan form:

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Team News

GAIS should have a largely fit squad to choose from, meaning that midfielder Kevin Holmen, who scored in the draw against Varnamo, is likely to start alongside Harun Ibrahim and Amin Boudri.

Up top, Holmberg's trio of Gustav Lundgren, Ibrahim Diabate and Rasmus Niklasson will be hoping to fire their team to a vital three points.

As for Goteborg, they will be missing David Kruse in the centre of the park due to a suspension he picked up for accumulating yellow cards, so expect to see Kolbeinn Thordarson and Tobias Heintz joined by Imam Jagne for this clash.

Billborn may also have to make do without centre-back August Erlingmark after he was substituted off with an injury in the first half against Degerfors, and 38-year-old Gustav Svensson could partner Jonas Bager on Monday. 

Elsewhere, midfielder Lucas Kahed and attacker Arbnor Mucolli are set to sit out as they continue their recovery from injuries that have kept them sidelined throughout 2025.

GAIS possible starting lineup:

Krasniqi; Wangberg, Agren, Beckman, Brienne; Ibrahim, Holmen, Boudri; Lundgren, Diabate, Niklasson

IFK Goteborg possible starting lineup:

Bishesari; Santos, Bager, Svensson, Tolf; Thordarson, Jagne, Heintz; Moubarak, Fenger, Clemmensen

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We say: GAIS 2-1 IFK Goteborg

 

GAIS are in strong form going into this game, and their proven record of resilience suggests that they should avoid defeat.

On the other hand, while Goteborg won last time out, they have been inconsistent, and they could walk away empty-handed on Monday.  

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

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