Recap
An Allsvenskan meeting awaits us, where the double champions Häcken, who won the Allsvenskan in 2022 and also the Swedish Cup just two weeks ago is the heavy favorite to win the three points. Varberg comes from the draw at Stora Valla against Degerfors. Coach Joakim Persson had a lot of problems after the virus affected over half of the squad and he gives a chance to some debutants like Leo Jansson, Dion Krasniqi, Maxime Sainte, and Filipe Sissé. They are in bad shape winless in the opening 10 rounds (0-5-5) and today’s situation with absences is really tense. Anton Liljenbäck and Gideon Mensah are long-term injuries and in addition to them, Jon Birkfeldt and Marcly Tshikupe are also missing. With last week’s illness affecting the squad, there will be tests all the way into match day for Tranberg (9/0), Le Roux (8/1), Júnior (8/1), Zackrisson (8/0), Lushaku (8/0), Stanisic (5/0), and Sissé (2/0). Add to this that Sainte (7/0) is suspended after picking up three yellow cards.
Hacken comes from a win in the derby at home against Goteborg with 4-1. Benie Traore leads the Allsvenskan top scorer list with 10 goals in 11 rounds and will be the main threat for the home side. They are in third place, four behind league leaders Elfsborg and three behind Malmö. Häcken has played one match more than the teams in front and this is a chance to reduce the gap after the 1-1 draw between Elfsborg and Djurgarden.