IFK Norrkoping vs Hammarby Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This is the biggest game in this round of fixtures in the Swedish Allsvenskan. It sees two top three teams meet and should give us a clue as to which team is more likely to push AIK for the title this term. Therefore plenty is at stake as Norrkoping and Hammarby lock horns at Östgötaporten this Monday.

Norrkoping you sense really need to win it if they are to stand a realistic chance of competing for the title. They are currently 5 points behind Hammarby and in 3rd place heading into this round of fixtures. Their form hasn’t been terrible, with 2 wins and 2 draws from their 5 matches since returning from the summer break but other sides have bettered that and defeat here would leave them well adrift in the title race.

Hammarby have been in the top two for virtually the entire campaign and three straight wins suggest they are back on track now, following a bit of a wobble which saw them surrender top spot to AIK. Like their opponents, a lack of European distractions has helped them but they have benefited from a few weak recent opponents with all of their last three matches against sides in the drop-zone.

Norrkoping have an excellent 88% home win ratio in the league this term but again they haven’t faced any major tests. This will be the first time this season that they’ve played host to another top six team and it will give us a better idea of just how good they are and whether they can push the likes of Hammarby all the way.

The result is tough to call but it’s certainly a game that promises goals. 62% of Norrkoping home games have seen over 2.5 goals this term and they’ve an impressive average of 1.88 goals per game in front of their own fans. Meanwhile a huge 75% of Hammarby matches this term have produced over 2.5 goals. They’ve been attacking teams and scoring for fun just about wherever they’ve gone and we should see two teams playing positively here and looking to bag the three points. 

Certainly there is reason to fancy backing Over 2.5 Goals. Meanwhile going for Nikola Durdic to score anytime looks good, with the Serb the top scorer in the league with 10 goals in his last 12 Allsvenskan matches.