Varnamo vs Malmo 15/04/2024
Monday night football in Allsvenskan is an established tradition. Varnamo vs Malmo promises to be an exciting contest between two teams hungry for wins. The game will take place on a neutral venue – Boras Arena in Boras – due to Varnamo’s stadium surface being damaged by recent snow and ice.
Below we give you a short preview of the Varnamo vs Malmo clash.
Varnamo latest: Will the neutral venue have a negative impact?
Varnamo is about to play a third consecutive match in Boras this season. They opened their campaign with a 2-2 away draw vs Elfsborg. Last Monday, followed that with a 1-2 defeat vs GAIS. In both matches shaky defending and a lack of creativity in attack were witnessed.
After two great seasons in Allsvenskan Varnamo try to find a new identity in 2024. They started the new campaign with a new head coach. Anes Mravac has yet to impress much since taking charge and he’s already feeling pressure.
Varnamo team news
Varnamo doesn’t seem to have new injury issues. However, the main goalie Jonathan Rasheed is still doubtful. In his absence, teenager Viktor Andersson started on goal but he failed to impress. Andersson will be extra motivated now though as he joined Varnamo this winter exactly from Malmo.
Centre-back Samuel Kotto also arrived this winter from Malmo and he too will be eager to shine. We expect him to start again in defence as the starting centre-back Emin Grozdanic remains in rehabilitation.
Varnamo player to watch: Ajdin Zeljkovic
Varnamo’s top goalscorer from last season Ajdin Zeljkovic makes a strong start to the new campaign too. Despite his team’s slow start, Zeljkovic has been impressive. He was directly involved in all three Varnamo goals scored in the first two rounds – 2 goals scored and 1 assist.
Varnamo vs Malmo line-up
Andersson (GK), Larsson, Rapp, Kotto, Bergh, Wenderson, Thern, Bustos, Kendall, Engvall, Zeljkovic
Malmo latest: Who can stop Isaac Thelin?
The 2023 champions Malmo opened the 100th Allsvenskan season in impressive style. They reached the Swedish Cup final in February and March after six consecutive wins. This was followed by seven goals scored and two easy victories in the first two rounds – 5-1 away vs Norrkoping and 2-0 at home vs Hammarby.
Malmo team news
Malmo have a large squad and despite still dealing with some selection issues they continue to produce strong starting line-ups week in and week out. Players are starting to recover too. Both Oliver Berg and Anders Christiansen could be involved for the first time this season in the coming match.
Defenders Niklas Moisander and Anton Tinnerholm also train again but this weekend they will be proving their fitness with appearances for the U21s. Veteran Martin Olsson is suspended for the opening five rounds. Oscar Lewicki, Nils Zätterström and Daniel Guðjohnsen remain in rehabilitation.
Malmo player to watch: Isaac Kiese Thelin
Malmo’s star striker Isaac Thelin started the new season in a red-hot form. He’s been directly involved in five goals for his team just in the first two rounds. Thelin scored 3 goals and assisted for 2 more. Can he score in a third consecutive round?
Varnamo vs Malmo line-up
Dahlin (GK), Busanello, Cornelius, Jansson, Larsen, Pena, Berg Johnsen, Rosengren, Nanasi, Botheim, Thelin
Varnamo vs Malmo – head-to-head and other stats
- Varnamo vs Malmo H2H – W0 D2 L4 – Malmo kept clean sheets in 4 of their 6 previous matches vs Varnamo.
- Both league clashes between the sides last season ended in identical 3-1 wins for Malmo.
- Isaac Thelin scored a brace in the last game between the sides in July 2023.