PREVIEW: WEEKEND SWEDISH ACTION Jon Van Wagenen - Friday, October 2, 2009
Americans Ryan Miller and Etchu Tabe look to keep their places in Ljungskile's eleven while Alejandro Bedoya hopes to continue his positive contributions to Örebro's play.
Örebro SK – Malmö FF
Alejandro Bedoya's Örebro host Malmö FF and need to return their winning ways if they hope to gain a Europa league spot. They will have a tough time against Malmö, who have won their last four matches with a remarkable goal differential of eleven over that span.
Bedoya came on as a sub in the last match, but if coach Sixten Boström looks into the record book, he may be compelled to start him on Sunday.
Bedoya had been a commonly used substitute until a breakthrough game on July 27th at Häcken, when he scored twice as a 78th minute sub to rescue a draw. Since that game, he has started seven of the team's next nine matches, and the team has five wins and two draws. In the two matches Bedoya has not started, Örebro has lost.
John Alvbåge, the Örebro goalkeeper is one of only ten Allsvenskan players that have played every second this season. Michael Almebäck and Kim Olsen are suspended for ÖSK, while Eric Bassombeng and Patrik Anttonen have been injured and are unlikely to play. Malmö may be missing the injured Pontus Jansson and Rick Kruys. Edward Ofere is suspended.
Örebro filed a complaint after GAIS league-leading goal scorer Wanderson played in last week's GAIS victory without a valid working and residence permit. Although Wanderson had an application under review, the allegations brought to light the fact that the Brazilian had played for over a month after his permit expired before the club attempted to rectify the situation.
The upshot is that Wamderson and GAIS are under police and league investigation, while Örebro can hope the recent GAIS match will be overturned giving them an added advantage in their hope for a European spot.
IFK Norrköping – Ljungskile SK
The defensive tandem Ryan Miller and Etchu Tabe should continue to start for the Superettan club Ljungskile, when they travel to Nörrköping on Monday.
The LSK defense was tight during last week's blanking of Falkenberg FF. Miller even contributed on the other end of the field with an assist.
After recently sitting in the relegation zone, three straight wins have Örjan Glans' boys currently in ninth place, six points clear. Norköping on the other hand have two losses and three ties in their last five and currently sit just one point away from the relegation playoffs.
It will be harder for IFK as Christopher Telo, Magnus Samuelsson and Mikael Blomberg are missing due to injury.
Anders Borg, Norrköping's coach played none of his A team in a regional cup final this week, a loss for the Superettan team. The tournament winners FC Innerstan, who currently play in Sweden's sixth division, have won themselves a training camp on the island of Åland.
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