AIK clash with Allsvenskan rivals Norrkoping on Saturday in a top 3 clash. AIK are undefeated this season and come into the fixture having drawn three of their last four matches.
Norrkoping sit in third place just one point behind second place AIK. A win will send Norrkoping above their rivals in the Allsvenskan table. But can Norrkoping win on the road?
Rikard Norling's AIK are the only team left in the league not to taste defeat. The club has secured 23 points from 33. If results go AIK's way this weekend, the club could be in first place. Last year, AIK finished as runners-up to league champions Malmo. It is a regular finishing place for the club and Norling hopes this year's team can change a history that has seen AIK finish as runners-up 14 times.
Goals haven't been common in AIK matches this term. The club has scored just 16 and average 1.6 per match. Swedish midfield duo Anton Saletros and Nabil Bahoui have scored three goals apiece. Meanwhile forwards Henok Goitom and Nicolas Stefanelli have added in two each. While goals haven't been plentiful for AIK's attack, the defence has posted a league low six goals conceded. The club's defence is aggressive and keeps teams out of net regularly. AIK have kept six clean sheets this term. Four of those shut outs have come at home, which makes Norrkoping's task a difficult one for Saturday.
Norrkoping's defence may not be the league's best, but it is second in the league in terms of fewest goals allowed. Jens Gustafsson's team has given up just nine scores in 2018. Unlike AIK, Norrkoping haven't been quite as shy in front of goal as the team has scored the second most goals in the Allsvenskan (18). The club is coming off of a midweek win over Sundsvall. It was Norrkoping's fourth consecutive league triumph. Midfielder Simon Skrab scored the winner in midweek, pushing his total to three for the season. Norrkoping keeps 55% possession per game and it is the club's ability to hang on to the ball that has helped record victories.
Gustafsson's team has recorded two away clean sheets this season from four matches. Regardless of the club's excellent play this term, Norrkoping haven't fared well against AIK in recent seasons. The club has won just once in six meetings. AIK took four points from six in 2017, and playing home this weekend, Norling's side will once again triumph.