It's the clash of the top two in the Damallsvenskan this weekend, but who will claim bragging rights?

Saturday's encounters

Ninth-placed Kvarnsvedens IK host fourth-placed Djurgårdens IF FF. Kvarnsvedens has now gone four games without a win, and last week threw away the chance to win. They were 2-0 up against Piteå IF but they blew that lead as Piteå fought back to secure a draw. Their opponents Djurgårdens are currently on a two-game winning run, although they were pushed close by Mallbackens IF Sunne. Kvarnsvedens can move up to fifth whilst Djurgårdens could move up to third if they win.

Mallbackens' defeat to Djurgårdens leaves them perilously close to the relegation, however, the manner of the defeat is something they can take confidence from. Their opponents Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC also suffered a painful defeat, losing 2-1 to the league leaders FC Rosengård. A win for Mallbackens could see them move up to seventh whilst Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC might see them overtake Djurgårdens in fourth.

Top two clash

The top two meet in a highly intriguing game with both sides having something to lose. Both FC Rosengård and Linköpings FC have 100% records, and one or both of them will lose that on Sunday. Rosengård tops the table and has the league's best defensive record, just conceding three goals.

They also have the best-attacking record, scoring one more than their opponents – but Linköpings has the league's two top goal scorers in Pernille Harder and Stina Blackstenius. Whoever wins will top the table and whoever loses will end the day in second.

Can Mallbackens bounce back? | Image source: Svenskfotboll
Can Mallbackens bounce back? | Image source: Svenskfotboll

Bottom-placed Kristianstads DFF host sixth-placed Piteå IF. Kristianstads wait for a win continues having lost narrowly to Eskilstuna United DFF 1-0. That defeat had ended a run of 1-1 draws which to date are the only points that the club has picked up this season. Piteå's draw against Kvarnsvedens means they have picked up four points from their past two matches. Kristianstads can climb out of the relegation places and up to a possible ninth, whilst Piteå can move up to fourth if they win.

Second bottom Umeå IK FF takes on Vittsjö GIK looking to pick up their first win of the season. Like Kristianstads, their only points have come through draws – with Umeå picking up one draw more. The three Umeå draws came in their first three matches, and since then, they have suffered three heavy defeats.

Vittsjö's goalless draw with KIF Örebro DFF keeps them in eighth with them looking to pick up their first win since their second game of the league. If Umeå wins, they could climb out of the bottom two and possibly up to seventh, whilst if Vittsjö wins, they could move up to fourth.

The final game of the week sees KIF Örebro DFF play Eskilstuna United DFF. Seventh-placed Örebro, who have an identical record to Vittsjö, has just picked up one point from their past three games. Eskilstuna goes into the weekend in third place, thanks to their win over Kristianstads. They have won their past three matches. A Örebro win could see them move up to fourth. If Eskilstuna wins, depending on the result of the game between the top two, they could close the gap to just three points.

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About the author
Tim Oliver
Founder of Tartan Kicks, the magazine dedicated to Scottish Women's Football. I cover women's football in Scotland, mainly focusing on the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL).