Analysis | Andy Brassell's bitesize European preview | IF Elfsborg

One of the voices of European football on talkSPORT and Sky Sports, well known for The Football Ramble podcast, an author and writer for The Guardian - and a regular contributor here at Spurs for almost 10 years - Andy Brassell gives us a short, sharp view of our opposition ahead of every UEFA Europa League match this season.

Next up, our final match of eight in the league phase of the competition against Swedish side IF Elfsborg, runners-up two seasons ago, seventh in the domestic Allsvenskan in 2024 and with a chance of progressing after home wins against AS Roma, Qarabag and Ligue 1 side Nice last time out...

IF Elfsborg (Sweden)

Manager - Oscar Hiljemark
Domestic form - 7th in Sweden's 2024 Allsvenskan season, which finished in November
Europa League form - 20th of 36 teams after MD7
Europa League results - 2-3 vs AZ Alkmaar A, 1-0 v Roma H, 3-4 v Galatasaray A, 1-1 v Braga H, 0-3 v Athletic Club A, 1-0 v Qarabag H, 1-0 v Nice H

Andy Brassell...

"Elfsborg came really close to winning the 2023 Allsvenskan title. They lost out on the final weekend of the season, to Malmo - then Jimmy Thelin, the coach, left for Aberdeen. Oscar Hiljemark (a former Elfsborg player and Sweden international) took over last year, a young coach at the age of 32. They couldn't follow up on last season's title challenge this time around, finishing seventh in the end in the 2024 Allsvenskan. That was maybe to be expected after Thelin left and they lost some players, but they've been good of late in the Europa League, and particularly strong at home. You have to remember that they have an artificial pitch at the Boras Arena, so the difference between their home and away form is quite pronounced, but they've beaten Roma, Qarabag and Nice at home, with the win against Nice last time out (MD7). It's also worth noting that Elfsborg's domestic league season finished a while ago now (10 November) and they've played friendly matches between Europa League games, and looked pretty good in those games, as well. Their wins at home against Qarabag (MD6) and Nice means they'll be coming to Spurs still with a chance of qualifying for the play-off round."