Swedish Allsvenskan | Gameweek 18

May 22, 2025 at 6pm UK

Malmo Stadion

Malmo vs AIK

Match preview

Having won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, Malmö are aiming to become the first team since IFK Göteborg between 1994 and 1996 to win three consecutive Swedish top-flight titles. However, their defence of the title has not quite gone according to plan.

In fact, Henrik Rydström's team have only emerged victorious in five of their first 10 league matches, with only two of those victories achieved during a seven-game period (D3 L2) between mid-April and mid-May.

Following a frustrating 2-2 draw with basement club Varnamo last week, Malmö returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 3-0 home victory over Halmstad. Anders Christiansen and Isaac Kiese Thelin were among the goalscorers.

The Blue Ones are currently fifth in the Allsvenskan standings, and a victory on Thursday night would put them within a point of their opponents, AIK. AIK are the only unbeaten team at this stage of the season.

AIK have accumulated 22 points from their opening 10 league games (W6 D4), seven more than last season at this stage, but after winning six of their first seven fixtures, Mikkjal Thomassen's team have drawn three of their last four games.

They conceded a 92th minute equaliser to draw 3–3 with Häcken in an enthralling encounter in Gothenburg, and were then held to a goalless stalemate on home soil by Hammarby last weekend. This leaves them one point clear of their opponents in second place.

AIK, who last won the title in 2018, go into Thursday's match having failed to score in any of their last four games against Malmö, drawing three of them 0–0, as well as suffering a heavy 5–0 defeat away in April 2024.

The Stockholm-based team have failed to win any of their last 23 away games against Malmö in all competitions (D7 L16), since claiming a 2–0 victory in the Swedish Cup in May 2001. However, they have only lost twice in their last 14 away games in the Allsvenskan over the last 10 months.

Recent Performance

Malmo Swedish Allsvenskan form:LWLWDW

AIK Fotboll Swedish Allsvenskan form:WWDWDD

Team News

Malmö striker Erik Botheim is set to miss several months of action after sustaining a broken leg in the 2-2 draw with Varnamo, requiring surgery.

Johan Dahlin and Gentian Lajqi are also receiving treatment for ACL injuries, while Anton Tinnerholm has recently retired from football due to a persistent groin injury.

Meanwhile, Anders Christiansen has scored a team-high three league goals so far this season and is expected to continue in attack alongside Isaac Kiese Thelin. Sead Haksabanovic and Hugo Bolin are the most likely duo to provide support on the flanks.

As for AIK, teenage talent Andreas Redin is set to miss a significant amount of time due to an ACL injury sustained in April, just two months after making his senior debut. Meanwhile, Eskil Edh remains sidelined with a back problem.

Thomassen is unlikely to make many changes to his starting lineup, which is set to include former Manchester City, Feyenoord and Celta Vigo striker John Guidetti. Guidetti is hoping to end a four-game goal drought.

Possible starting lineup

Malmo possible starting lineup:

Ellborg; Stryger Larsen, Rosler, Jansson, Busanello; Haksabanovic, Rosengren, Johnsen, Bolin; Christiansen, Kiese Thelin

AIK Fotboll possible starting lineup:

Nordfeldt; Thychosen, Papagiannopoulos, Benkovic, Isherwood, Besirovic; Andersson, Saletros, Celina, Csongvai; Guidetti