Preview: GAIS vs Halmstads BK - prediction, team news, lineups

In a clash that could impact both the race for Europe and the relegation battle in the Swedish Allsvenskan, GAIS will take on Halmstads BK at Gamla Ullevi on Saturday.

Makrillarna will be hoping to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches this weekend, while HBK are looking for just their third win since early May.

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Match preview

Fredrik Holmberg's GAIS are the form team in the top flight, and having won five of their last six matches - drawing the other - they are chasing down a place in UEFA competition next term.

This past weekend, Makrillarna followed up their hard-fought 3-2 win over title challengers Hammarby by dominating demotion-threatened Degerfors 3-0 on the road.

That victory has Holmberg's side sixth in the table with 28 points, just four shy of third-placed AIK, who occupy one of the division's spots for entry into the Conference League qualifiers.

Aiming to continue their momentum and gain ground on their rivals, the hosts will draw confidence from their commendable home record that features a six-game unbeaten run ahead of this fixture.

However, it is notable that GAIS won just three of those six matches at Gamla Ullevi, and they will be desperate to take all three points on Saturday considering the possibility of reducing the gap to the top three.

Meanwhile, Johan Lindholm's Halmstad have endured a difficult season so far, and with two wins, one draw and five losses from their eight most recent games, they are uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.

Last Sunday, HBK earned a point in a 0-0 draw with Hacken, and while the boss may be disappointed with his team only having 32% possession, he will be thankful for goalkeeper Tim Erlandsson, who pulled off six saves.

The stalemate has Halmstad 12th with 17 points, just four above Degerfors in the relegation playoff spot and five ahead of 15th-placed Oster in the drop zone.

Knowing that another defeat could ramp up the pressure, fans of the visitors will be hoping that their club can defy their travelling record that features three losses on the bounce in the buildup to this game, and only one victory on the road all season.

A rare triumph for Halmstad could see them climb up to 10th in the table, leapfrogging Norrkoping and Brommapojkarna, but walking away empty handed would give their demotion rivals the chance to close the gap to a single point.

GAIS Swedish Allsvenskan form:

Halmstads BK Swedish Allsvenskan form:

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Team News

GAIS may be without midfielder William Milovanovic this weekend after he picked up an injury against Degerfors, but Amin Boudri should take his place in the XI after returning from a suspension.

Up top, Holmberg's front three of Gustav Lundgren, Ibrahim Diabate and Rasmus Niklasson will be hoping to fire their side closer to European football.

As for Halmstad, they are also dealing with absentees in midfield after Aleksander Nilsson was taken off before half time against Hacken, and Joel Allansson was forced off just before the final whistle in the same game.

If neither are ready to take part on Saturday, then Niilo Maenpaa and Gisli Eyjolfsson could make Lindholm's starting lineup for the trip.

GAIS possible starting lineup:

Sims; Wangberg, Frej, Beckman, Brienne; Boudri, Holmen, Henriksson; Lundgren, Diabate, Niklasson

Halmstads BK possible starting lineup:

Erlandsson; Wallentin, Gregor, Kurtulus; Granath, Eyjolfsson, Maenpaa, Kaib; Arvidsson, Anger, Mohammed

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We say: GAIS 2-1 Halmstads BK

 

GAIS are in excellent form ahead of this weekend, and their momentum could carry them to another victory against a struggling side.

Halmstad have been dire on the road this season, and with three away defeats in a row going into this clash, fans will have low expectations for the result.

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

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