Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two camps who find themselves scrapping it out at the foot of the Allsvenskan table, Norrkoping will welcome Varnamo to the PlatinumCars Arena on Monday evening.
Norrkoping
Starting with the hosts, while Norrkoping might have opened up the 2025 campaign with an action-packed 4-3 victory against Oster, Martin Falk’s side have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity over recent times. Last seen falling to a routine 3-1 loss at the hands of Swedish giants Malmo, the Comrades are looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Getting July underway with a toothless 1-0 defeat at home against Brommapojkarna, Falk’s downbeat squad have mustered just a pair of Allsvenskan points from their previous five appearances. Heading into Sweden’s summer break with a 3-0 drumming at the hands of GAIS, Norrkoping have shown some extended issues in the final third. In fact, Monday’s hosts have recorded more than a single strike in just one of their last nine straight Allsvenskan outings.
Norrkoping Team News
Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this calendar year, Ghanian youngster Stephen Bolma remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue.
Returning to Falk’s squad against Malmo last week, former Groningen defender Yahya Kalley should get some more minutes under his belt. Notching eight Allsvenskan appearances so far this season, Swedish international Christoffer Nyman will lead the line on Monday evening.
Varnamo
As for the visitors, while Varnamo might have eventually clung to their Allsvenskan status last season, Arne Sandsto’s men have another real battle on their hands this time around. However, despite opening Monday’s showdown sat rock-bottom of the table, the Whites have claimed a much-welcomed recent boost. Putting in what was a gritty performance on home soil last week as they claimed a shock 1-0 victory against Europa Conference League semi-finalists Djurgarden, Varnamo have suffered just a single defeat from their previous three Allsvenskan appearances. Signing off June with a 0-0 stalemate against Elfsborg, Sandsto’s side have also found some essential defensive steel. Despite getting July underway with a 1-0 loss away at Hammarby, that is the only goal that Monday’s guests have conceded since returning from Sweden’s summer interval.
Varnamo Team News
Shown a straight red card against Hammarby earlier in the month, 19-year-old Rufai Mohammed will once again miss out through suspension on Monday evening.
Coming off the bench and bagging a sensational last-gasp winner against Djurgarden last week, Syrian international Mohammad Alsalkhadi could be handed a full recall. Former Malmo starlet Simon Thern will start in the heart of Sandsto’s midfield here.
Norrkoping vs Varnamo Key Factors to Consider
- Norrkoping have recorded just a pair of points from their previous five consecutive Norrkoping appearances.
- Monday’s hosts have recorded more than a single strike in just one of their last nine straight top-flight outings.
- Varnamo have shipped just a single strike in their three Allsvenskan since returning from Sweden’s summer break.
- All of Varnamo’s last six straight Allsvenskan appearances have finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Seven of the last nine meetings between Norrkoping and Varnamo have finished with under 3.5 goals.
Conclusion
Finding some recent defensive steel since returning from Sweden’s summer break and conceding just a single strike in their previous three Allsvenskan appearances, Varnamo could be smelling the chance to spring another upset here. However, two camps who are scrapping it out at the foot of the table, don’t be surprised to a cagey affair on Monday evening. Likewise, with seven of the previous nine meetings between Norrkoping and Varnamo finish with under 3.5 goals, a similar outcome can be found at a generous outcome.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet