Malmo FF vs Ballymena Utd Predictions

Malmo will be expecting to win comfortably on Thursday at home to Ballymena United to the point that they could afford to rest a few key players for the trip to Northern Ireland next week. The visitors arrive in good form but rarely get tested against quality opposition like Malmo and certainly head into the match as the big underdogs.

Malmo extended their unbeaten run to thirteen games when they defeated Orebro 2-1 at the Swedbank Stadion at the weekend. Antonsson put the hosts in front in the fourteenth minute but the visitors equalised from the penalty spot soon after and the teams went in level at the interval. A sixty-eighth-minute effort from Christiansen proved enough for Malmo to clinch all three points in front of their own fans, and on the balance of play the hosts deserved their victory. Ballymena United were already 2-0 from the 1st leg heading into their trip to Eysturoy to face NSI last week, and the game ended goalless despite the best efforts of the hosts who will feel disappointed not to have pushed Ballymena United to the very end.

The quality of both squads and the form of Malmo heading into Thursday’s 1st leg points towards the hosts winning by at least four clear goals and makes a handicap bet of -3 on Malmo worth backing. Malmo are unbeaten in their last thirteen competitive matches, have kept seven clean sheets during that unbeaten streak, and three last six home games have produced over 4.5 goals. Malmo have international in their side, compete against higher quality opposition than Ballymena United on a regular basis, and have far more experience in European competitions than their guests, which is why we’re backing a 4-0 win for the hosts on Thursday.

Millar and Winchester both scored a goal each in the last round against NSI but are bound to find their chances in front of goal reduced on Thursday, while, veteran striker and former Swedish international, Rosenberg leads the way for Malmo with seven goals in this seasons Allsvenskan. We’re confident that a -3 handicap bet on Malmo will payout on Thursday and have predicted a final scoreline of 4-0 to the home side. Malmo are in a great run of form right now, have the quality to beat Ballymena United with ease, and have been scoring for fun at home in recent weeks.