7M - Allsvenskan Preview: BK Hacken VS Djurgardens IF – prediction, team news, lineups

One of only two unbeaten sides remaining in Allsvenskan, BK Häcken will look to maintain their impressive start to the season when Djurgården arrive at the Bravida Arena on Monday evening in matchday 11.

The hosts sit second in the table, while Djurgården come into the match having won two of their last three away league fixtures and carrying a head-to-head record that will give them confidence.

Häcken have been one of the standout sides in Allsvenskan this season, accumulating 20 points from five wins and five draws across their 10 league outings to sit second in the table – nine points behind league leaders Sirius.

Jens Gustafsson's side opened the campaign with a 2-2 home draw against IF Brommapojkarna before stringing together two consecutive wins and three successive draws, a run that underlines their consistency even if they have found the final step to victory elusive at times.

Their most recent league outing brought a 3-2 win over Hammarby, but that was followed by a 4-1 friendly defeat to the same opponents a few weeks later.

Swedish champions in 2022 – their first and only league title to date – Häcken finished 10th last season before rebuilding impressively, and though the season is not yet at its halfway point, they will be targeting a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Djurgården arrive in eighth place with 13 points from nine games – four wins, one draw and four defeats – they have shown they can beat good sides but have also been prone to dropping points unexpectedly.

Jani Honkavaara's men have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five league fixtures, with their most recent outing a 2-1 defeat to IF Brommapojkarna.

Since that defeat, Honkavaara's side have played out a 1-1 draw against Sirius in a club friendly, and the coach will be hoping that result provides some momentum heading into Monday's match.

Away from home, however, Djurgården have been notably more reliable, winning two of their three road trips this season, and it gives them genuine hope of causing an upset at the Bravida Arena on Monday.

The head-to-head record between these two sides also favours the visitors, with Djurgården unbeaten and having won three of the last five meetings, including a remarkable 6-1 thrashing in the most recent encounter.

Häcken's unbeaten Allsvenskan record demands respect, but Djurgården have shown all season that they are capable of grinding out results on the road, and their head-to-head superiority over Monday's hosts gives them a psychological edge that is difficult to dismiss.

A tight, low-scoring contest suits Djurgården's recent away approach; the visitors are backed to sneak a result on the road.