Yes I know, I’ve missed rounds 8 and 9, but those of you who read my introduction will remember I explicitly said this wouldn’t be a reliable or up-to-date news source.
In Gameweek 7 it looked like both IFK Göteborg and AIK had woken up and remembered how to play football. Unfortunately for IFK, they soon forgot again and have only managed one point in their last three games. Most worryingly is that fact that two of those games were against the recently promoted Åtvidaberg and Mjällby. In the case of Åtvidaberg, it was their first win all season. (Remember it took them seven games to score their first goal.) If you can’t take points in games like that, then where can you take points?
AIK have also failed to add much to their solitary win, losing to arch rivals Djurgården last Sunday. It is now officially the worst start to a season from a defending champion.
Häcken, who initially looked like producing another season of punching above their weight, have stuttered badly and are on a seven game winless streak. Gais, while unspectacular, have at least made steady progress through grinding out draws, such as their one against Helsingborg last night. Gais find themselves 7th and by default the best team in Göteborg.
At the top of the table Helsingborg and Malmö continue to lead. Helsingborg have yet to lose a game and have taken 26 out of a possible 30 points. Malmö have only lost one match (which was against Helsingborg) and have a healthy five-point lead over third. With a third of the season already gone, the title looks increasingly likely to end up in Skåne. Of the main title contenders IFK, AIK and Kalmar are stuck in the relegation zone, leaving only Elfsborg with a realistic chance of mounting a challenge. They currently lie in fourth spot, but as was the case last season, they’re struggling to turn possession into goals, and dropping way too many points. Third placed Örebro have been quiet achievers but having personally seen them turn apart by Gais last month, I refuse to believe they can over take both Helsingborg and Malmö. Mjällby and Brommapojkarna would also be pleased to find themselves in the top six, but neither have squads strong enough to sustain this effort all season.