According to multiple reports, GAIS are in last place in Allsvenskan after four rounds. Gustav Lundgren and Kevin Holmén are out for the entire season due to long-term injuries, while Shalom Ekong and Henry Sletsjøe miss the derby against IFK Göteborg due to physical issues. William Milovanovic was suspended for the match against Mjällby after three yellow cards and told referee Kristoffer Karlsson to change jobs after the derby against Häcken, according to sources. Oscar Pettersson is available for selection after illness.
Róbert Frosti Thorkelsson scored a goal against BK Häcken, prompting head coach Fredrik Holmberg to run a long sprint in celebration. According to Fotbollskanalen, Holmberg described being "so damn happy" for the goal and for who scored it, praising Thorkelsson's development and attitude. Thorkelsson played 206 minutes in Allsvenskan last season. Holmberg sees great potential in Thorkelsson, according to the coach.
Holmberg acknowledged the team's injury woes, saying: "Henry (Sletsjøe) has a heel that comes and goes, Shalom (Ekong) has problems with his back, Jonas (Lindberg) has had a lot of trouble, now it's with a thigh and Daniel (Bengtsson) got a nosebleed at training. Then we have Mergim (Krasniqi) and Lucas (Hedlund) on their way back." He added: "There are positive things even in the darkest darkness." The exact nature and severity of Ekong's and Sletsjøe's injuries remain unclear, as does any disciplinary action against Milovanovic.