AIK – Vesterås IK 18-02-2025

The form team AIK takes on the bottom team Vesterås IK in this match in Hockeyallsvenskan. This is a league we have been successful in over time. So when AIK, who is in fantastic form, will meet such an opponent at home. This game quickly goes in favor of the home team. AIK is currently in 6th place with 81 points in 45 games. Today's opponent Vesterås IK is in 11th place with 48 points in 46 games. AIK was number 3 last year and Vesterås IK was number 11.

AIK

The form team ahead of anyone at the moment. They now have an incredible 14 straight wins, and have swept teams like Djurgården, Södertalje and Mora off the ice in the last 3. They have really found their form, and with this form can quickly smell a promotion. They are now in a safe 6th place, which is the last safe playoff spot. But with good opportunities to climb further up the table. They are so good now, that they can easily go undefeated through the rest of the regular season. They have a lot of speed in the team, and many ranks that produce. Having good depth in the team is incredibly important in the period of the season we are now in, because the games are coming close. This will be AIK's fourth game in a week now, so it goes without saying that a good squad is exceptionally important. The team has been through an exciting period now, with a derby against Djurgården which they won 8-4, and a 134th anniversary celebration with a match against Mora which they won 5-2, before the next day they traveled to another top team, namely Södertalje, which they also convincingly beat with 1-3. A very impressive series. The team is scoring a lot of goals at the moment, and playing with a lot of energy and speed. Then it is also of course that the team has played on self-confidence over a longer period. Although the team has picked up some heavy injuries recently, the management has really worked well, and they have brought in some good players on loan. They always pick players who will fit into their way of playing, which indicates that AIK is in the process of shaping their identity again. It has been a topic that has been repeatedly up for discussion in recent years. But with the results that have now been, it looks as if they are on the track of something they have been looking for for a while. We are sure that the team will not stop against such an opponent as this train is currently running.

Vesterås IK

Simply a team that belongs at the bottom of this league. They have been in the same position as they are now (11) in recent years. They would probably like to be a little higher to have the opportunity to make the playoffs. The teams from 7-10 are playing qualifiers for the last two places in the playoffs. They are not that far behind. But have played 1 and 2 games more than the rest who are above them in the table. They also have some tough games ahead of them, so it looks difficult. Even though they won last time, they only have 2 wins in the last 15 games, and the team seems resigned. The last win came after a close game against Tingsryd, who are in the place behind them in the table. The other win of the two was when they beat Østersund, who are at the very bottom of the table. The team is also struggling on the injury front, and also has some challenges in the goalkeeping position. It has been a bit of a back and forth. But they have finally landed a solitaire. But now illness has plagued a couple of the players as well, and it is not known whether they will be available for this match. This should be a much weaker team than their opponent anyway. We also saw that the last time the teams met, when AIK visited as late as 24.01, and won 0-5. It was a class difference. We believe something similar can happen again.

Conclusion

AIK is simply such a much better team at the moment that we have to recommend a bet in that direction. You actually get usable 1.50 on a regular home win. But we both hope and believe in a bigger overrun than that. So we will probably recommend a handicap bet. The value is always good that the favorite wins by at least 2 goals. As we often do if there is a tie in hockey, the team that is under takes out the goalkeeper. Then the opposing team will often have the opportunity to put a decisive score into an empty cage. Most often when that happens, it is when the favorite is leading. They are often good enough to take advantage of scoring, while a supposedly weaker team will be happy to clear the zone. That is often the reason why we find value in playing a handicap bet favoring the favorite. It is of course the case that we also believe that that team often wins by more goals without this scenario. But it is a form of extra chance if you want.

Sweden at 19:00: AIK wins -1.5 goals (1.83)