Elfsborg head into matchday 17 of the Swedish Allsvenskan in second place. Four points separate the club from league leaders Malmo after 16 matches.
The Yellow Ones are on an eight-match unbeaten run and could close the gap at the top of the table with a positive result and Malmo loss. Östersunds will be confident of taking points off of Elfsborg, however.
Östersunds sit in ninth place with 18 points from 16 games. They are on a two-match winning streak with victories over AIK (1-0) and Kalmar (2-0). Östersunds are in form and playing good football. Elfsborg will need to be at their very best to claim all three points.
The clubs have met once already this season. Elfsborg claimed a 1-0 win thanks to a Jesper Karlsson 50th minute goal. Although Elfsborg claimed wins versus Östersunds in their last two meetings, Sunday’s visitors have a good recent record against the home side.
Östersunds claimed a positive result in six of the eight matches versus Elfsborg dating back to 2016. All of those results came in the Allsvenskan. Östersunds record between 2016 and 2020 versus Elfsborg is a solid 3W-3D-2L.
Elfsborg are unbeaten in six straight matches at home heading into the weekend. They have taken 13 points from 21 possible at the Boras Arena. They are +4 in goal difference having scored 15 times and allowing 11 goals. Three of their last six home games have finished in draws.
Östersunds have been just as good away from home as Elfsborg has been playing at home. They have taken 13 points from 24 possible on their travels. They are unbeaten in six straight games away from home. Sunday’s match will be a very good clash between two in-form teams.
The away side do keep games low scoring on the road. Östersunds have allowed six goals while scoring seven times. Four of their last five away games ended with under 2.5 goals scored.
Elfsborg do possess the league’s top scorer. Karlsson has scored nine times this season accounting for 31% of the club’s goals. He scored the winner versus Östersunds earlier this season when the two teams met.
Sunday’s game will see two very in-form teams. Elfsborg are undefeated in their last 10 home matches in the league and should run that tally to 11. The two sides should both find the back of the net as the game ends in a score draw. Elfsborg should fall further back of Malmo in the title race.