A high stakes clash of styles: Malmö and Elfsborg’s winner take all 2023 Allsvenskan title-decider – tactical preview

The 2023 Allsvenskan season sees its finale take place tomorrow. Of course, its a league format without a final in the traditional sense. However, we do have something of an epic clash between the two best teams to decide which team ends the campaign glorious, as league leaders Elfsborg (64 points, 34 goal difference) visit second-placed Malmö (61 points, 34 goal difference) in match week 30s winner take all clash.

Indeed, Elfsborg could get away with drawing and remaining top of the table, so the ball is in their court in a sense. However, home advantage goes to Malmö; there really isnt much to separate these two and the stage is set for an epic encounter.

Here at Total Football Analysis, we have covered both of these teams in some detail during the 2023 campaign, focusing on Henrik Rydströms tactical switch to relationist principles in 2023 at Malmö and highlighting the effective transitional football on display at Elfsborg under Jimmy Thelin. For a more detailed look at both sides in a general sense, wed recommend checking out those articles.

This tactical analysis aims to provide a more specific look at how two of Swedens elite football clubs will match up against one another on Sunday, pinpointing where this crucial game can be won and lost while giving an analysis of some key players and key tactics wed expect to play a vital role in deciding which of these two teams will be lifting the trophy at the end of the game.

First blood Elfsborg

Before looking ahead to Sundays game, it makes sense to look back on these two sides previous Allsvenskan clash of 2023, a match that can provide us with some precious insight and background ahead of this upcoming encounter.

Malmö started this season on a hot streak, winning each of their first eight league games and going undefeated in their first nine. Their first loss came against — you guessed it — Elfsborg in their meeting at Borås Arena back in May. The hosts earned a 3-0 win in that fixture.

Though Elfsborg lost their opening game of the season to the same team that first prevented Malmö from getting all three points — third-placed BK Häcken — they did end up putting a superb run of their own together, going undefeated for 15 straight games from match week two to match week 16, winning 12 of them, this clash with Malmö included.

A poor day at the office for Malmö? Perhaps. They took seven more shots than Elfsborg but had a poor xG per shot of just 0.07, emphasising how Elfsborg successfully kept them out of dangerous areas, forcing their opponents to make their attempts from relatively poor positions.

Elfsborg, meanwhile, managed to generate some clear-cut opportunities; despite taking fewer shots in the end, they came out on top largely thanks to the quality of chances they enjoyed.