The Champions League commences with two sides looking to make it to the group stages as Malmo go head to head with Vikingur Reykjavik at Elenda Stadion in the first leg of their qualifying first-round tie on Tuesday night.
Malmo, Swedish champions, have been struggling this season and currently sit fifth in the Allsvenskan with 21 points from 13 matches, four points off the summit, although they have played one match more than Hacken in the lead.
They head into the match off a 2-1 away defeat to Sundsvall in their previous Allsvenskan fixture, making it the third defeat in their last five league games. They will now be looking to quickly get over their domestic league strugglers as they aim for a spell in the biggest stage in club football in Europe.
They will need to be at the top of their game though, as they take on a side that has been flying high in their domestic league recently. Vikingur Reykjavik have been fairly impressive this season and currently are in second place in the Urvalsdeild with 22 points from 11 games.
They head into the match in a good form having won all their last eight games in a row across all competitions and are unbeaten in their last six at away, winning five in a row.
Therefore the Icelandic outfit should be confident ahead of the clash as they aim to make it to the group stages of the Champions League.
Malmo vs Vikingur Reykjavik head to head
This will be the first encounter between the two, and considering the occasion we expect a very close contest. Take a look at their previous result;
Home
- Sundsvall 2-1 Malmo
- Malmo 2-1 Helsingborgs
- Malmo 2-0 Trelleborgs
- Degerfors 0-2 Malmo
- Hammarby 3-4 Malmo
Away
- KR Reykjavik 0-3 Vikingur Reykjavik
- Selfoss 0-6 Vikingur Reykjavik
- IC Escaldes 0-1 Vikingur Reykjavik
- Levadia 1-6 Vikingur Reykjavik
- Vestmannaeyjar 0-3 Vikingur Reykjavik
Malmo team news
Malmo will be without Isaac Kiese Thelin, Oscar Lewicki, Adi Nalic and Soren Rieks due to injury.
Vikingur Reykjavik team news
Vikingur Reykjavik will be without Arnor Borg Gudjohnsen and Kyle McLagan due to injury.
Prediction and odds
- Draw
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
