Trelleborgs (12) vs AIK Solna (6)

Trelleborg and AIK were heading towards derby wins last Monday but both had to let go with a draw after conceding 88th minute goals.

Trelleborg are not considered much of a big clash for neighbour rivals Malmo and Helsingborgs, since they lack both the historical background and the sort of established support that the other two southerners enjoy. But for Trelleborg, these games are special and consequently they are once in a while in for an upset against their bigger rivals.

At Malmo, Fredrik Jensen gave the guests an early lead and the score remained the only goal until the dying minutes. Malmo dominated heavily in their attempt to get an equaliser and TFF nearly managed to get away with an undeserved win, but finally justice was done.

Even though lacking the same tension as a Stockholm derby, the second half got ugly with several clashes between the players. 15 minutes from the end, four players got booked. As for Trelleborg, captain Jens Sloth is suspended for the game against AIK.

Trelleborg are 12th in the league but with a decent margin to the bottom three. And their last five games have been decent with four draws and a win.

With a single win in their last eight games, AIK are slowly fading into mid-table mediocrity. They still have the third place UEFA Cup ticket within reasonable distance but they need to improve the overall performance in order to get there.

Last Monday's local derby against Hammarby saw maybe this season's best performance in the first half. AIK dominated the scene completely and a three-goal advantage would have been fair. But Ivan Obolo's 23rd minute strike was the only goal scored before the interval. In the second half the two sides were equally strong, Hammarby levelled but AIK got a late penalty that looked like a winner. However the game was held for some ten minutes as goalkeeper Tomi Maanoja was the target when Hammarby hooligans shot firecrackers onto the pitch. Instead of calling the game off, the referee chose to continue and immediately AIK suffered an equaliser.

In their best moments, like during the first half in the derby, AIK are playing very well, but they lack consistency and that is likely to cost them an expected top position. Too often they give away the initiative and get under pressure. In some recent games, they've been one goal up but lost the advantage.

Trelleborg like to draw their games, but need a win to get a more comfortable distance away from the bottom three. AIK lack self-confidence and with this game being far from exciting as a derby, they might not be able to start as well as they did against Hammarby. With both sides quite unfamiliar with goals galore, a 1-1 draw seems reasonable. Or maybe a goalless one.