Allsvenskan 2026 Opens This Weekend — Our Tips for Every Round 1 Match
Swedish football is back. Eight matches, 16 teams, and a full Easter weekend of action starting Saturday 4 April. Here’s what to expect — and where the value is.
After a long winter, Allsvenskan 2026 kicks off this Easter weekend with a packed opening round that already delivers some tasty fixtures. The defending champions Mjällby AIF face last year’s runners-up Hammarby on day one. Malmö — the overwhelming pre-season favourites — travel to newly-promoted Örgryte. And an electric Gothenburg derby looms on Monday.
Here’s our match-by-match breakdown, with a tip for each game.
Saturday 4 April
Degerfors IF vs IK Sirius — 15:00
Degerfors barely survived relegation last season and go into 2026 as one of the favourites to go down. Sirius, by contrast, arrive with genuine optimism — several experts tipping them to push into the top half this year.
This is a match between two sides who really need points from the off, but the quality gap favours the away side. The odds currently sit at Degerfors 2.60 / Draw 3.30 / Sirius 2.40 — making this a close call on paper, but we lean towards Sirius to get their season off to a winning start.
Tip: Sirius to win
Hammarby vs Mjällby AIF — 15:00
The match of the opening weekend without question. Last season’s table-toppers Mjällby meet last season’s runners-up Hammarby in what is effectively a statement game for both clubs. Hammarby have strengthened in the transfer window and will be desperate to go one better than second place in 2025. Mjällby, meanwhile, arrive as defending champions — but defending a surprise title is always harder than winning it.
The odds read Hammarby 1.68 / Draw 3.55 / Mjällby 4.20 — the market strongly fancies the home side. Hammarby’s crowd at Tele2 Arena on Easter Saturday will be enormous. Home advantage, quality reinforcements and motivation all point the same way.
Tip: Hammarby to win
Sunday 5 April
AIK vs Halmstads BK — 14:00
AIK had a disappointing 2025 — seventh place is not where a club of their size expects to finish. New season, fresh start. Halmstad are one of the sides many expect to be in a relegation battle and should be beatable at home for AIK.
This feels like a comfortable home win for a club desperate to restore some pride in front of their own fans.
Tip: AIK to win
Kalmar FF vs Västerås SK — 14:00
Both Kalmar FF and Västerås SK are newly promoted from Superettan, making this a fascinating clash of two sides who don’t really know where they stand at this level yet. Promoted teams tend to be full of energy in their opening fixtures, and both will approach this with nothing to lose.
Kalmar have more Allsvenskan experience historically and are slight favourites at home. We’ll back the home side but this is a low-confidence pick — a draw wouldn’t surprise us at all.
Tip: Kalmar FF to win or Draw (Double Chance)
Örgryte IS vs Malmö FF — 16:30
The story of the day for neutrals. Örgryte return to Allsvenskan after 16 seasons away — their last top-flight campaign was back in 2009. Their fans have waited a long time for this. Gamla Ullevi will be rocking.
And yet — they face Malmö FF, the overwhelming pre-season title favourites. Malmö are consensus favourites for the title with odds between 1.60 and 1.70 across the major bookmakers. The match odds sit at Örgryte 5.00 / Draw 4.20 / Malmö 1.49.
Emotion versus quality. Örgryte will be sky high. But Malmö are a completely different level. We back Malmö, but if you’re looking for a fun long shot, Örgryte at 5.00 is not the worst flutter on an emotional opening day.
Tip: Malmö FF to win
Monday 6 April (Easter Monday)
BK Häcken vs IF Brommapojkarna — 14:00
Häcken had a frustrating 2025 — tenth place for a club with their resources is underperforming. BP are perennial wildcards; hard to predict, capable of results against anyone on their day. Häcken at home should have enough, but their inconsistency is a real concern.
The odds are Häcken 1.58 / Draw 4.00 / BP 4.50 — the market is fairly confident in the home side. We agree, though not without some hesitation.
Tip: Häcken to win
IF Elfsborg vs IFK Göteborg — 14:00
A tasty western Sweden matchup. Elfsborg are one of the more consistent sides in the league and will fancy their chances at home. IFK Göteborg had a solid 2025 and many tip them to push for European places in 2026 — this away trip to Elfsborg is a tough opener to test that ambition.
Elfsborg at home is a reliable proposition. We back the hosts here.
Tip: IF Elfsborg to win
GAIS vs Djurgårdens IF — 16:30
The headline match of Easter Monday. GAIS have been one of Allsvenskan’s most exciting recent stories — back in the top flight and proving they belong. Djurgården are among the title contenders and arrive as narrow away favourites.
The odds stand at GAIS 2.38 / Draw 3.30 / Djurgården 2.60 — almost as close as it gets. Djurgården are quality, but GAIS at home on Easter Monday with a full crowd behind them is a proper contest. We’ll take a punt on the home side to upset the odds.
Tip: GAIS to win — Value Pick of the Round
Round 1 Tips Summary
| Match | Date | Our Tip | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degerfors vs Sirius | Sat 4 Apr, 15:00 | Sirius to win | Medium |
| Hammarby vs Mjällby | Sat 4 Apr, 15:00 | Hammarby to win | High |
| AIK vs Halmstad | Sun 5 Apr, 14:00 | AIK to win | Medium |
| Kalmar vs Västerås | Sun 5 Apr, 14:00 | Kalmar or Draw | Low |
| Örgryte vs Malmö FF | Sun 5 Apr, 16:30 | Malmö to win | High |
| Häcken vs BP | Mon 6 Apr, 14:00 | Häcken to win | Medium |
| Elfsborg vs IFK Göteborg | Mon 6 Apr, 14:00 | Elfsborg to win | Medium |
| GAIS vs Djurgården | Mon 6 Apr, 16:30 | GAIS to win ⭐ Value | Medium |
All odds mentioned are indicative and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. 18+.
The Big Picture: Who Wins Allsvenskan 2026?
It’s genuinely split. Most bookmakers list Malmö FF as slight favourites — a rebound story after their disappointing sixth-place finish in 2025. But media, coaches and AI simulations at the pre-season preview event pointed to Hammarby as the team to beat, backed by strong recruitment including Victor Lind. Defending champions Mjällby are the intriguing wildcard — harder to repeat a miracle than to create one, but don’t count them out. It’s a three-horse race, and any of them could be lifting the trophy in November.
It’s going to be a long, brilliant Swedish summer of football. We’ll be covering every round right here at Explored Football.
