European football returns to Gamla Ullevi on Tuesday evening as IFK Göteborg welcome Estonian champions FCI Levadia for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie.

For the hosts, it marks a long-awaited return to continental competition after five years away. While Göteborg secured qualification with an impressive fourth-place finish in last season’s Allsvenskan, their domestic campaign has failed to build on that momentum, leaving Europe as an opportunity to restore confidence.

Levadia, meanwhile, arrive in Gothenburg in excellent form. The Estonian champions have already swept through the opening qualifying round with ease and travel to Sweden unbeaten in 18 of their last 19 competitive matches, making this far more than a routine assignment for the home side.

European nights offer Göteborg the chance for a fresh start

Few clubs in Scandinavia possess a richer history than IFK Göteborg, but recent seasons have fallen well below the standards expected of an 18-time Swedish champion.

Stefan Billborn appeared to have steered the club back towards the upper reaches of Swedish football by guiding them to fourth place last season, securing their first appearance in UEFA competition since 2020. However, that progress has stalled during the current Allsvenskan campaign.

After 13 league matches, Göteborg find themselves hovering just above the relegation zone, with defensive inconsistency proving particularly costly. Only one team has conceded more goals than the Blåvitt this season, and victories have become increasingly difficult to come by.

Friday’s 2-1 win over Brommapojkarna could nevertheless prove significant. Ending a lengthy winless run has lifted morale ahead of one of the club’s biggest matches in recent years, and the atmosphere inside Gamla Ullevi should provide an additional boost.

Sebastian Clemmensen strengthened his case for a starting place after climbing off the bench to score the winner last time out, while Oliver Månsson could replace the injured Filip Ottosson in midfield should the latter fail to recover in time. Arbnor Mucolli and Jonathan Rasheed remain unavailable through long-term injuries.

Levadia arrive with confidence and attacking momentum

While Göteborg have struggled for consistency, Levadia have enjoyed a campaign that could hardly have begun any better.

Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko’s side sit comfortably at the top of the Meistriliiga after winning 14 of their opening 19 league matches, opening up a commanding lead over their domestic rivals. They have also carried that momentum into Europe, dismantling Welsh side Caernarfon Town 10-0 on aggregate in one of the most dominant performances of the opening qualifying round.

The Estonian champions possess plenty of attacking quality despite the relatively modest profile of their squad. Bubacarr Tambedou starred against Caernarfon by scoring and creating goals across both legs, while Enock Otoo, João Pedro and midfielder Mihkel Ainsalu have all made significant contributions during the early stages of the European campaign.

Levadia’s biggest challenge may simply be adapting to a higher calibre of opposition. Their impressive domestic form deserves respect, but Göteborg represent a considerable step up in quality compared to anything they have faced so far this summer.

Verdict: Home support could prove decisive

This tie feels more evenly balanced than the clubs’ reputations might suggest.

Göteborg have endured an underwhelming domestic season, while Levadia arrive full of confidence after dominating both at home and in Europe. Even so, the Swedish side should benefit from superior experience, stronger individual quality and a packed Gamla Ullevi eager to celebrate the club’s return to continental football.

Levadia have enough attacking threat to cause problems over the two legs, but Göteborg look capable of taking a narrow advantage into next week’s trip to Tallinn.

Tip

IFK Göteborg to win.