Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Allsvenskan match.
The final fixture of Matchday 16 in the Allsvenskan sees IFK Norrköping host IFK Värnamo. The home side will need to remain alert, as Värnamo arrive having just claimed their first league win of the season. While that may not appear significant at first glance, particularly given their underdog status, recent encounters between the two suggest it could be more meaningful.
IFK Norrköping
Last season, IFK Norrköping suffered a heavy 0:4 defeat at home to IFK Värnamo at Nya Parken. At the time, Värnamo were 13th in the standings, while IFK Norrköping were even worse off in 14th. Currently, Norrköping sit 12th, just three points above the automatic relegation zone. They are winless in their last five matches, a run that includes two draws and three defeats — with two of those losses and one draw coming on home turf.
IFK Värnamo
IFK Värnamo have managed two clean sheets in their last three matches and, in their most recent outing, scored for the first time in four games. That lone goal proved enough to secure a win over ninth-placed Djurgårdens IF. The visitors were efficient in front of goal, converting just 0.47 xG into a decisive strike. In contrast, Djurgårdens IF failed to capitalise on their 1.60 xGA and 21 attempts, with only five shots finding the target.
IFK Norrköping vs IFK Värnamo Prediction
It’s fair to say that IFK Norrköping are not clear favourites in this matchup, and the circumstances reflect that. We're avoiding backing either side in this one. A more plausible scenario could involve a strong defensive performance from IFK Värnamo, potentially keeping the overall scoreline low. That said, whether the visitors can contribute offensively remains uncertain. In summary, this looks likely to be a low-scoring affair.
