Sports Mole previews Monday’s Swedish Allsvenskan clash between GAIS and AIK Fotboll, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two closely-matched sides will face off when GAIS welcome AIK Fotboll to Gamla Ullevi for Monday’s Allsvenskan contest.
Having collected 22 points from 14 matches, the hosts are sitting in seventh position and two points ahead of their eighth-placed opponents.
Match preview
After winning back-to-back promotions, GAIS will be pleased with the fact that they occupy a top-half position in their first top-flight campaign since 2011-12.
However, GAIS boss Fredrik Holmberg will be slightly concerned by his team’s recent dip in form, having seen his side take just one point from their last three league games.
They lost 4-0 to Halmstad and played out a goalless draw with Hammarby, before they fell to a 3-1 defeat in their most recent outing against Sirius.
After falling to a fourth consecutive away defeat, GAIS will be looking forward to returning to Gamla Ullevi, where they have won five and drawn one of their previous six matches.
Monday’s hosts will be targeting another strong defensive display after recording three clean sheets in their last four home league games.
AIK, meanwhile, began the 2024 Allsvenkan campaign in a rich vein of form, with their first five matches producing three wins and two draws.
However, they have struggled for consistency in the last three months, having won three and lost six of their previous nine league games.
They did at least bounce back from consecutive defeats to claim a narrow 2-1 away win over Halmstad last weekend.
Rui Modesto and Ioannis Pittas both grabbed a goal apiece to guide AIK to their first away win in the Allsvenskan since July 23.
That proved to be Henok Goitom‘s final game in interim charge as AIK confirmed the appointment of Mikkjal Thomassen, who left his position as Fredrikstad boss to take up the post.
GAIS Swedish Allsvenskan form:
AIK Fotboll Swedish Allsvenskan form:
Team News
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Egzon Binaku, Jonas Lindberg and Richard Friday, while Anes Cardaklija is a doubt after being forced off against Sirius.
Amin Boudri and Henriksson are both suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
However, William Milovanovic and Joackim Aberg are available for selection following their respective one-match bans.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Abdihakin Ali, Alexander Fesshaie and Martin Ellingsen.
While Thomassen will want to stamp his mark on the team, he could keep faith with the same XI that started the recent win over Halmstad.
Pittas will be looking to continue his fine run of form after finding the net in each of his last four Allsvenskan appearances.
GAIS possible starting lineup:
Krasniqi; Wangberg, Noren, Beckman, Frej; Aberg, Ibrahim, Milovanovic; Lundgren, Celik, Holmstrom
AIK Fotboll possible starting lineup:
Nordfelt; Thychosen, Milosevic, Tiedemann, Edh; Modesto, Saletros, Dabo, Celina; Faraj, Pittas
We say: GAIS 2-1 AIK Fotboll
GAIS have proven to be an irresistible force on home turf, having won five of their last six Allsvenskan home matches, and we think that they will produce another strong display to beat an AIK side that has lost four of their seven away league games this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.