Malmo and Sigma Olomouc will meet at the Eleda Stadium for the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night. The hosts are reigning Swedish champions, while Sigma earned their spot in Europe courtesy of winning the Czech Cup last season.
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Malmo vs Sigma Olomouc prediction: Czechs to find it tough on European return
Key stats
- Malmo have been successful in reaching the group stage/league phase of either the Champions League or Europa League in five of their last six seasons in Europe.
- Sigma Olomouc have never previously won a playoff tie in Europe, losing their last two to Sevilla and Everton.
- Malmo have only lost two of their last 14 matches across all competitions.
- Sigma have only scored four goals in their first five matches of the new Chance Liga season.
Correct score prediction: Malmo 2-0 Sigma Olomouc
While Sigma have made a good start to the season domestically, they lack the European experience and expertise of Malmo, as well as the financial might, so the Czech side could struggle here, and will hope the tie is not beyond them heading into the second leg at home.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Malmo given the edge by the bookmakers
- HOME: 4/7 (1.57) – 63.6%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 17/4 (5.25) – 19.0%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The bookies are in no doubt about who they are backing to take an advantage into the second leg, as Malmo are 4/7 favourites to win here at the Eleda Stadium.
Sigma are given a slim chance at 17/4, and across the tie in general, as the Swedish champions are 4/11 to progress to the league phase of the Europa League.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting between the two
This is the first ever meeting of Malmo and Sigma Olomouc, with it being the Czech side’s first encounter against a club from Sweden since the first round of the UEFA Cup in 1986, when Goteborg beat them 4-1 on aggregate in what was their maiden European tie.
Malmo’s record against Czech clubs is hardly great either, winning just one of seven, against Sparta Prague in 2014, but the same opponents beat them across both legs in a Champions League playoff last season.
Malmo preview: Strong XI available for the hosts
Malmo will be without Erik Botheim and veteran goalkeeper Johan Dahlin for the foreseeable future, but Gabriel Busanello is back from suspension, and Salifou Soumah made his debut for the club at the weekend following his move from Zira in Azerbaijan.
Predicted lineup: Olsen (GK), Stryger Larsen, Jansson, Djuric, Rosler, Busanello, Ali, Rosengren, Johnsen, Bolin & Haksabanovic
Sweden Allsvenskan 11/05/25
W
Degerfors
1
Malmo FF
4
Sweden Allsvenskan 05/05/25
L
Brommapojkarna
2
Malmo FF
1
Sweden Allsvenskan 29/04/25
W
Osters IF
0
Malmo FF
2
Sweden Allsvenskan 23/04/25
L
Hammarby
2
Malmo FF
0
Sweden Allsvenskan 18/04/25
D
Sirius
1
Malmo FF
1
Sigma Olomouc preview: Important duo back from suspension
After being sent off against Sparta Prague at the start of the month, Jan Kral and first-choice keeper Jan Koutny were both banned for their 1-0 win against Zlin at the weekend, but both will be available here.
The same cannot be said for injured quartet Jan Fiala, Jan Kliment, Dele Israel and Yunusa Muritala though, as they are set to remain sidelined.
Predicted lineup: Koutny (GK), Slavicek, Sylla, Kral, Slama, Breite, Spacil, Tkac, Navratil, Tijani & Mikulenka
Czechia First League 16/08/25
W
FC Trinity Zlin
0
Sigma Olomouc
1
Czechia First League 10/08/25
L
Sparta Prague
1
Sigma Olomouc
0
Czechia First League 02/08/25
W
Slovan Liberec
1
Sigma Olomouc
2
Czechia First League 26/07/25
D
Dukla Praha
0
Sigma Olomouc
0
Czechia First League 20/07/25
W
Slovacko
0
Sigma Olomouc
1
Player to watch: Sead Haksabanovic
Haksabanovic has hit form of late, often being utilised in a less familiar central striking role, but the Montenegrin found the net again in their weekend win over Halmstad.
That means the 26-year-old has now scored five and assisted another in his last seven starts for the club, with two of those goals coming in both legs of the recent success over RFS.