Haninge — Elfsborg : Match Preview and Prediction for August 20,2025

Recent Defensive Collapse

Haninge approaches this cup encounter after a true thriller in Division 1. The 4:5 defeat to Arlanda is not just a result; it’s a diagnosis. The team was leading 4:2 with 15 minutes left in the match and managed to concede three times, losing in the 90th minute. This points to colossal problems in their defensive organization.

Consistent Defensive Vulnerability

And this isn’t an isolated incident. Looking at previous matches: a 3:3 draw with Sollentuna, a 2:3 loss to Eskilstuna. The team scores a lot, but concedes even more. In their last three official matches, Haninge has conceded 11 goals. Eleven. In a friendly game against an Allsvenskan club, Hammarby, they conceded eight goals, losing 3:8.

Arlanda Match Analysis

The last match against Arlanda is telling. Haninge had 8 shots on goal, 6 of which were on target, resulting in 4 goals. Their attacking efficiency is present. However, the opponent only had 6 shots on target and scored 5 goals. The goalkeeper made only one save throughout the entire match. The defense simply cannot withstand pressure.

Elfsborg’s Allsvenskan Form

Elfsborg is an Allsvenskan team, Sweden’s top division. They are currently in fourth place, competing for the highest positions. Yes, they suffered a 1:2 defeat to Norrköping in the last round, but the score shouldn’t be misleading. Elfsborg had 20 shots on the opponent’s goal and took 13 corners. They dominated, created pressure, but failed to convert their chances.

An Attacking Philosophy

Before that, there was a 2:2 draw with Värnamo and two victories: 2:1 against Häcken and a goal-fest 4:3 with IFK Göteborg. Elfsborg is an attacking team. Team captain Sebastian Holmén explicitly talks about their style: “We are an aggressive, attack-minded team that wants to be dangerous when we have the ball.” These are not empty words but a real playing philosophy.

Dominance Despite Results

In the match against Norrköping, despite the loss, Elfsborg had 54% possession and outperformed their opponent in expected goals (xG 1.59). The team creates chances in every match, regardless of the opponent. Their offense is a well-oiled machine that regularly finds its way to the opponents’ goal in the top league.