Swedish Allsvenskan Round 20: Hammarby's Surprise Weapon in Title Race, What Lies Ahead for Norrköping?

The 20th round of the Swedish Allsvenskan continued in the early hours of August 27, and the competition is heating up. Hammarby IF, with their 18-year-old Ivorian winger, Bazoumana Touré, has emerged as a potent force as they push for the title. Touré has been in sparkling form during this crucial phase of the season, contributing goals and assists in the last two matches. This surge has proven invaluable to Hammarby’s pursuit of Malmö FF at the top of the table. Meanwhile, IFK Norrköping’s four-match winning streak came to an abrupt end in the last round. Prior to that, they had suffered a five-match losing streak. The question now is whether they will embark on a new winning or losing trend.

Hammarby vs. GAIS Göteborg: The Rise of Another Touré

Hammarby may be ten points behind league leaders Malmö ahead of this round, but the race is far from over. Malmö has been heavily involved in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, facing tough battles along the way. In this round of the Allsvenskan, Malmö was held to a draw by relegation-threatened Kalmar FF following their recent European defeat. This development has given Hammarby a glimmer of hope in the title chase.

In their previous match against relegation candidates IFK Värnamo, Hammarby quickly found their rhythm and took the lead just two minutes into the game. They maintained control throughout, scoring two more goals to secure a 3-0 victory. The man of the match was undoubtedly Bazoumana Touré, Hammarby’s young Ivorian winger. Touré assisted the first goal with a precise cross for a header and then scored one himself, again with a header. Heading goals were the key to Hammarby’s success in this game.

Touré, who turned 18 in March, only two days before arriving in Sweden, has already scored six goals and provided three assists this season, with three of those goals coming in the last two matches. He has become an unexpected yet vital player for Hammarby as the Allsvenskan enters its decisive phase. However, his performances have caught the attention of more financially powerful clubs, and he may well be poached next season. Hammarby would do well to cherish the remaining months they have with him.

GAIS Göteborg, a newly promoted team, has performed admirably this season and currently sits fourth in the standings. While achieving a "Swedish version of the Kaiserslautern miracle" and winning the title might be a stretch, they are well-positioned to compete for a European spot next season. GAIS has been a team of extremes this season, having drawn only once, just one more draw than Halmstad, who are yet to draw a game this season.

In their last match, GAIS lived up to their fans’ expectations, winning 3-1 at home in what was only their third match this season where they scored more than two goals. The first encounter between GAIS and Hammarby was a defensive battle that ended in a 0-0 draw, but GAIS’s defensive strength tends to diminish on the road. Given this, Hammarby has a better chance of showcasing at least two levels of their ability, while GAIS might only display one.

Norrköping vs. Mjällby: Which Trend Will Continue?

Norrköping’s four-match winning streak came to an end last week against Malmö FF, the league leaders. Before this streak, Norrköping had endured their longest run of defeats this season, losing five consecutive games, which had plunged them to the bottom of the table. However, the four straight wins helped them surge back into a safer position. Remarkably, Norrköping managed only three wins in the 15 games prior to their winning streak, which demonstrates just how much their fortunes have fluctuated this season.

The turnaround has been a reward for the trust placed in head coach Rikard Alm, who was appointed this season. Even during the darkest periods, when fans had all but given up on survival, the club’s management continued to back him. Alm has repaid that faith by guiding Norrköping back to form.

Mjällby, on the other hand, has had a rough patch recently, losing three out of their last four matches. Within just one month, they have fallen out of the title race. Fortunately, they managed to halt their slide by drawing against a strong Elfsborg side, keeping them above their opponents in the standings. Mjällby’s recent slump can be attributed to a decline in defensive strength. This season, they have only conceded three goals in a match three times, but two of those instances came during their three-match losing streak. Head coach Andreas Torstensson’s response was straightforward: changing the starting lineup in defense. This decision has proven effective, as only teams with depth can successfully make such adjustments and recover from setbacks.

For Mjällby, survival is almost guaranteed, so even if their losing streak were to continue, it would not have much impact on their overall season. However, for Norrköping, the situation is more precarious. Their poor form earlier in the season means their survival task remains challenging. Norrköping has not beaten Mjällby at home in the past ten years, and in their first meeting this season, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat. However, given their recent resurgence, they have a good chance of performing at least two levels of their potential at home, while Mjällby might only display one.

The Stakes for Both Sides

As Hammarby aims to keep their title hopes alive, they are betting on the youthful exuberance of Touré, whose emergence as a surprise weapon could be crucial in the final stages of the season. If Touré continues his impressive form, he could help Hammarby close the gap with Malmö and put them in a strong position to challenge for the title.

For Norrköping, this round is about maintaining momentum and building on their recent positive trend. After a roller-coaster season, the team needs consistency to ensure survival in the Allsvenskan. Their recent upturn in form under Alm's guidance has shown promise, but the journey ahead is still fraught with challenges. Whether they continue their upward trajectory or fall back into their earlier slump remains to be seen.

Mjällby, despite their recent struggles, has the luxury of a relatively secure position. However, Torstensson will need to address their defensive weaknesses to prevent further slides down the table. For both teams, the remaining matches will be crucial in determining their fate this season.