TFT Issue 115!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Kalmar FF vs AIK Solna – home win at evens.
Today’s featured game is the Allsvenskan encounter in Sweden between Kalmar and AIK Solna. There’s not a great deal of difference between these two sides nowadays so I anticipate a close game here.
However, one advantage that both sides enjoy a lot is their home advantage. Kalmar are traditionally weaker on the road than they are at home but the transformation between Kalmar at home and Kalmar away has dramatically changed this season with their displays on the road rather ineffectual and their displays at home being magnificent. I don’t know whether to attribute it to a good team spirit or the fact that Kalmar’s home attendance has doubled since last season but whatever it is, Kalmar are certainly feeling it!
Kalmar are the only side in the Allsvenskan currently with a 100% home record with four wins from four games. They’ve averaged scoring over two goals per home game and conceding less than a goal per game so it’s fair to say they do enjoy their home games. They’ve hosted a strong Elfsborg Boras and a decent BK Hacken Goteborg along the way, too, so they know what they’re doing. Happily, Kalmar welcome back Sobralense into midfield to add creativity and with Mendes and Santos likely to be fielded alongside him, Kalmar’s Brazilians bring a very potent threat to each game. I still don’t believe that this Kalmar side is as strong as last year’s team or the year before that but they’re dominant at home and I expect to see that today.
To be honest, if AIK play today’s game like they did at home against Gefle last match then Kalmar could field their U15 team and still win this one. AIK put zero effort into their game against Gefle and duly deserved their 0-2 defeat against one of the worst sides in the Allsvenskan. AIK have two very talented strikers in the Banguras and that makes them a threat in any game but away from home, AIK are simply very vulnerable. They’ve yet to win in four consecutive away games this season, conceding five goals in their last two away games alone (please note that I’m excluding their 3-0 defeat at Syrianska as the 3-0 home win was awarded after AIK fans invaded the pitch following going a goal down during the game). They’ve only lost their last two away games but in all fairness, they should have lost at Elfsborg Boras after being dominated for large portions of the game and the other game that didn’t end in a loss was the derby with Djurgarden so I think it’s fair to observe that AIK really struggle on the road.
AIK Solna welcome back Johansson to their defence, who was badly missed last match. Had he played then a scraped 0-0 scoreline could have been expected but as he didn’t, AIK struggled. AIK are still caught out an awful lot defensively on the road, however, and that could really damage them here. I just don’t see AIK having enough to keep Kalmar’s dangerous attackers out here, even with Backman and Johansson in defence.
It’s wise not to read much into the head-to-heads between these two sides as it really is swings and roundabouts. However, Kalmar look in good shape at the moment when playing in front of their large support whereas AIK Solna are looking a bit disjointed as they’re relying on the Banguras a bit too much. For me, there’s value in the home win at evens with the above in mind.
Team news – Kalmar FF miss Dragusha and Smylie.
Verdict: Kalmar FF to win at evens.