Goteborg (5) vs GAIS (10)

IFK are fighting to remain a top side; GAIS are fighting to avoid getting involved in the relegation battle. This Gothenburg derby could give one of the sides a temporary moment of rest. Gothenburg derbies attract big crowds but are normally spared the ugly hooligan scenes often seen at Stockholm derbies, so there should be no such interferences to take into consideration for this game.

Four straight wins saw IFK Goteborg challenge for a second successive league title, but a single point in their last two games has reduced their ambition to a UEFA Cup ticket. First they were given a lesson at Orebro (2-4) and last Saturday they were held by rock bottom side IFK Norrkoping. Pontus Wernbloom scored twice to put Goteborg 2-0 up after a mere 13 minutes but Norrkoping hit back twice with the equaliser scored nine minutes from the end.

Their previously solid defence has conceded eight goals in three games including the Champions League qualifying encounter with Swiss Basel (not counting the midweek game against Enkoping), not a good record for the league's overall second best defence. Only poor results by their closest rivals in the league would give them a good position to renew their European Cup participation for next year.

GAIS seemed a stabile mid-table side but with wins becoming rare and the bottom sides starting to collect points, the green and blacks could soon be involved in the relegation battle. Last Sunday they surprisingly went ahead at home to Kalmar but in the end didn't stand a chance, losing 1-4. Wanderson do Carmo scored his third goal in two games but to no good. GAIS coach Magnus Pehrsson was satisfied with the performance in the first half but admitted facing a more superior side after the break.

Further on, they got both Kenneth Gustafsson and Levon Pachajyan suspended for the derby.

Only two goals scored in the last four Gothenburg derbies, both by IFK. And with the present situation for the two sides, another 1-0 win for IFK seems realistic.