Match Previews

AIK on a tremendous run of results...but have a tough challenge here...Ozkan (sp) (mid) and Burgic (r) (att) out...Rubarth (sp) should return...AIK have been superb in the league recently and they will hope to take that form into the UEFA Cup.  However in their previous tie they struggled badly away from home and were a little lucky to escape with a narrow defeat which they managed to reverse in the home leg.  They won't get away with playing so poorly this time though as Hapoel will punish them more severely.  Nonetheless with a potentially title deciding derby coming up early next week they'll probably rotate a few players.  Orlund (r) will stay in goal but Jonsson (sp) and possibly Carlsson (sp) will come into the back four.  Arnefjord (r) and Johansson (k) have been the usual defensive partnership while Tamandi (r) will stay on one flank.  In the midfield Monsalvo (sp) and Rubarth (sp) could both come back into the side with the latter finally making his comeback after a long energy.  Stephenson (r) and Johnson (r) should play but Tjernstrom (r) might be rested.  The attackers are likely to be Valdemarin (r) and Obolo (k) who combined to score a simply glorious goal last time.  Mendes (sp) could be considered to freshen things up but Burgic (r) is still out injured.  AIK have been doing very well but they might not focus to much on this with the vital league match coming up.  That could prove costly but if they take this game in the proper spirit they could well end up with a very good result to take home.