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With European football the aim for Hammaraby, a defeat to visitors Kalmar at 3Arena on Sunday could be costly down the line if they are to finish in the Allsvenskan‘s top three.
The hosts come into the weekend's clash in second place with 20 points, seven more than their 12th-placed opponents, who are only three points and two places above the relegation zone.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Hammarby vs Kalmar key stats
- Both teams have scored in five of Hammarby's last six games.
- Five of the last seven league goals scored by Kalmar have come in the second half.
- At least four goals have been scored in four of the last six clashes between Hammarby and Kalmar.
- Hammarby have opened the scoring in each of their last three competitive matches.
Hammarby vs Kalmar preview: Battle for Europe and battle for survival?
Hammarby vs Kalmar — Tale of the Tape
| Hammarby | vs | Kalmar |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Position | 12th |
| 20 | Points | 13 |
| 26 | Goals For | 14 |
| 14 | Goals Against | 15 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 16th |
After two successive second-placed finishes in Sweden's top flight, it would be understandable if Hammarby supporters were desperate for the club to win their first league title snice 2001.
However, the club are currently nine points from first-placed Sirius having played a game more, and the path to the summit of the table looks steep.
Hammarby occupy the first of two Conference League qualifying spots, but they are only two points above fourth-placed Elfsborg despite beating them 2-1 last Sunday in the league.
Considering right-back Hampus Skoglund was forced off the pitch during that game, fans should expect to see Ibrahima Fofana start on the right side of a four-man defence.
Kalmar head to 3Arena off the back of a 3-0 success over Orgryte on July 5, their third success in the league in five games, though they did lose twice in that period.
That result left the club three points above 14th-paced IFK Goteborg, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot, but they are only three points from fifth-placed Djurgarden.
Manager Toni Koskela will hope that he can guide his side to a first win in seven against Hammarby, but if he is unable to avoid defeat, Sunday would be the team's sixth loss in seven meetings with the hosts.
Kalmar striker Malcolm Stolt is nearing a return to the pitch, though he is still set to miss out on the weekend's match, so perhaps supporters will see a front two consisting of Anthony Olusanya and Abdussalam Magashy.
Hammarby vs Kalmar form guide & betting tips
| HAM | vs | KAL |
|---|---|---|
WLLLW |
Form | WLWLW |
| 6 | Points | 9 |
| 11th | Form Table | 4th |
| 9 | Goals For | 7 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 5 |
WLLLW |
Form (All Comps) | WLWLW |
Whispers predicts: Hammarby 2-2 Kalmar
Though the bookmakers have predicted a home win at 37/100 (1.73), the inconsistencies of both teams makes it difficult to accurately predict a winner, so perhaps the best prediction would be for a draw at 4/1 (5).
Considering both clubs have found the back of the net in five of Hammarby's last six games, backing Both Teams to Score at 4/6 (1.67) would be sensible.
Given that the two sides have proven to be defensively vulnerable, it may make sense to predict Over 3.5 Goals at 11/10 (2.1).
If both teams manage to find their way onto the scoresheet, it would not be surprising if Kalmar were more impressive in the second half, and a value bet may be to predict Kalmar to Win the Second Half at 17/4 (5.25).
> Both Teams to Score at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 3.5 Goals at 11/10 (2.1) | Likelihood: Possible
> Kalmar to Win the Second Half at 17/4 (5.25) | Likelihood: Outsider