Djurgården IF – AIK 16-04-2025

1. We've reached the final of the Hockeyallsvenskan playoffs. Guess how excited we are? I promise you that!

This could not have been written more dramatically than it actually has been. Because now we have the dream final between Djurgården IF and arch-rival AIK. The two clubs from Stockholm will meet each other in what may overshadow the actual final in the SHL this season. Because there is no doubt. Both of these teams want to get to the top level. You could almost say that they are addicted to it.

Djurgården has had this as a clear goal since the start of the season, while AIK has played in form during the season, and seems to have found their way. The team earlier this year touched the record for the number of games won in a row in hockeyallsvenskan when they won a total of 17 games in a row. Before the season, Djurgården would have thanked nicely for meeting AIK in the final, we don't think it is like that now. These teams share a home field, and both teams play their home games in Hovet, and that is special in itself. What makes it even more special is that the away team is not allowed to let its fans into what is seen as a risk game of the highest ranking. Too many examples of things that have happened in these matches mean that away fans are not allowed to.

It is guaranteed that both teams will sell out their matches, and it will be absolutely crazy conditions. Djurgården has the advantage of home games, and started with their own fans in this one.

Djurgården – The advance favourite.

After Djurgården changed its sports management last year. There is no doubt that the team is much closer to meeting the standard required in the SHL. The club has made some tough choices, and you now see a mix between very experienced players and young players. The club has long decided that they will focus on a mix of home-grown players and stars that are brought in.

It has worked for them this year, but perhaps not as well as many had thought beforehand. The team has struggled at times. We also saw that in the semifinals against Sødertalje, which went all the way to overtime in game 7 before the decision was made.

Once they are here, no one can deny that they have gone all the way. But they were also big favorites to go all the way beforehand. They clearly have the experienced players needed in these games, and it could well be that that is enough. The series against Sødertalje kept switching back and forth on who would run away with the victory. We don't think this was that convincing, and the team is certainly unsure of where they stand when the finals start.

They have also had to play a lot of games, and some of these players are starting to get older, and they have seemed heavy and slow at times. I think Djurgården will soon fear the intensity of AIK in these matches.

AIK – A troublesome little brother.

Who hasn't heard of the annoying little brother who won't give up? That's exactly how AIK has appeared this season. Major financial problems have meant that the team has had to take some action in terms of players. They have to be smarter. It has also led to the team becoming exactly that, a team. They really play for each other, and everyone works their butt off.

They got into fantastic form during the season, and have never really looked back. It was suggested that the team could become a contender the way they played. But they themselves would not hear of that. But now they are 4 wins away from taking the step up to the SHL. Financially, there are huge differences between playing in the SHL and Hockeyallsvenskan. In fact, with a promotion here, the club will most likely get a lot of its problems sorted out.

They now have a healthy starting point with a manageable squad to deal with. They know that to do that, they need to win at least 1 away game. We are therefore confident that they will give it a try right away. What do they have to lose? Nothing, in fact they have everything to win, and the pressure is probably on the home team throughout this final.

If we look at the second half of the season, AIK has been the better team. Something that is also shown in the internal matches against Djurgården. In fact, AIK has won 3 out of 4 matches this season. Several with convincing figures. They started back in October by winning 4-2 at home, before Djurgården won their home match 4-1 in December. After that, AIK had come into form, and first won an away match 1-4 in January, before winning the last home match by a whopping 8-4.

They have thus gained a good psychological advantage over today's opponent, and we believe they can exploit it.

Conclusion – We focus on value.

Firstly. We are sure that this final will somehow be even in the end, and that it is the small details that will decide. We think that the first match could be a bit of a test. In that sense, we are not surprised if it ends in a draw, and it may certainly tempt some to try the 3.9 odds.

But we are looking for the safe bets, and at the same time that there should be value. We have found a variant that we really believe in now. We think that AIK has gained a nice advantage over Djurgården throughout the season, and with the speed and effort they have in the team, Djurgården will probably be a little behind. That was also the case against Sødertalje in the last home game in the semi-finals. It ended 1-1.

We see AIK as a slight favorite, even though the bookmakers say otherwise. So 3.35 away is also tempting. We still choose a safer option in the end.

Hockey at 19:00: Djurgården IF – AIK: AIK draw/away (1.99)