Malmo clash with Allsvenskan rivals Orebro on Saturday. The match will see seventh place Malmo travel to eighth place Orebro as the clubs sit midtable in the Allsvenskan. Both sides are on 19 points and need a win to have any hope of catching first place AIK.
The away side go into the fixture in far better form than home side Orebro. Malmo are undefeated in their last four league matches with two of those games ending in wins. Malmo's defence has been rock solid during their undefeated run. The club has given up just two goals in four games while the attack has registered eight goals. Malmo's defence has improved greatly in recent weeks and is improving by the game. The club is still just +1 in goal difference.
Orebro have lost their last two fixtures and are winless in three straight games. The team's attack has been nonexistent during the winless run. Orebro have scored just once while allowing three goals. Axel Kjall's team is +1 in goal difference.
Kjall's team has been poor at home this term. Orebro have the fourth lowest home points total in the Allsvenskan. The defence has allowed nine goals posting a zero-goal difference. Orebro's top scorer Kennedy Igboananike has tallied six goals in 12 games. Midfielder Nahir Besara has contributed three goals and five assists. Orebro need to find consistency at both ends of the pitch. Unless they do, Orebro will finish midtable or worse this term. Orebro are 10 points above the relegation zone and need to prevent going backwards.
Malmo haven't been great on the road. Prior to Malmo's last road win, Uwe Rosler's team had lost four straight away matches. Making Malmo's season even more difficult is the fact that the club won the Allsvenskan last season. Malmo's matches have seen plenty of goals this term. In 11 of Malmo's 12 away fixtures there have been more than 2.5 goals per game.
Striker Markus Rosenberg has tallied seven league goals. Meanwhile, defender Eric Larsson has contributed three assists to the Malmo cause.
Rosler's side is undefeated in five of its last six meetings with Orebro. Three of those meetings ended in wins for Malmo. The visitors do have their attention on the Champions League qualifying rounds. Malmo have qualified for the second qualifying round after defeating Kosovo's Drita in the first qualifying round, 5-0. Malmo's improved defensive performances and recent wins in the Allsvenskan and Champions League will see the club get the best of Orebro on Saturday.