Football Season Guide

AFC Eskilstuna

In


Ole Söderberg (gk) - Kalmar, Mehmed Dresevic (def) - Norrby, Artem Rakhmanov (def) - Isloch, Jacob Lackell (mid) - Eskilstuna City, Jesper Björkman (def) - Gefle, Denni Avdic (att) - AIK, Wilhelm Loeper (def) - Arameisk-Syrianska IF, Hossin Lagoun (sp) (gk) - FK Vereya Stara Zagora, José León (def) - Rayo Vallecano (loan), Ivan Bobko (mid) - free transfer, Kristijan Miljevic-Sachpekidis (att) - free transfer, Adi Nalic (mid) - Malmo (loan)

Out


Amadou Kalabane (mid) - Gefle, Ivan Markovic (mid) - PS Kalamata, Gianluca Curci (gk) - Hammarby, Zurab Tsiskaridze (def) - Al-Hazm, Alexander Michel (def) - Al Khor, Kermit Erasmus (att) - Vitória Setúbal FC, Ibrahim Blati Toure (mid) - Córdoba CF, Oke Akpoveta (att) - FK Sabail, Michel Termanini (def) - Jerusalem Hilal Al-Quds, Wellyson (def) - released

AFC Eskilstuna returns to Swedish football's top table again after bouncing back from a disappointing Allsvenskan showing in 2017. Two years ago immediate relegation was never in doubt, as the club only managed to amass 20 points from the 30 games. They were ill equipped to handle the step up from Superettan, but will hope that lessons have been learned since then. They did it the hard way this time with a two legged play-off against an average Brommapojkarna side who deserved their eventual demotion after a dismal season in the top tier. Captain Anel Raskaj is still the key to AFC Eskilstuna success and, having experienced the disappointment of two seasons' ago, will be keen to make sure they make a better fight of it this time around.

Target


But this will still be a fight to the end for AFC, as they face an almighty uphill task to keep themselves in the Allsvenskan this season. But there is cause for optimism this time, as Nemanja Miljanović's team have shown spirit in their pre-season fixtures and are even in the Swedish cup final after knocking out a much fancied AIK side on penalties. The fresh faces are once again a mix unknown talents, but if most of them click and are allowed to develop with expectations kept in check, then AFC could actually be a surprise package this season. Prediction: 14th