Sodertalje put their 7-0 start on the line against Uppsala's top-ranked defence

Can Sodertalje stay unbeaten against Uppsala?

Sodertalje bring a perfect 7-0 record into round 8, and Uppsala Basket are the next side trying to end it. The leaders have won every game they have played this season.

Uppsala arrive fifth of 11 at 4-2, with four wins and a loss in their last five. That loss is the most recent result, which gives this game a clear edge: a side looking to respond against a side that has not yet had to.

Sodertalje and Uppsala recent results

Sodertalje have been winning tight games lately, while Uppsala's run of road wins was broken by a heavy home defeat. The margins in the leaders' last three games have been small.

Sodertalje beat Hogsbo 93-85 and Lulea 85-82 at home, then won 76-79 at Koping. Uppsala won 87-94 at Koping and 74-80 at Nassjo before losing 53-71 at home to Umea.

Both sides have won away at Koping, which offers one shared reference point. Uppsala's 53 points against Umea is the number they will most want to leave behind.

How do Sodertalje and Uppsala play?

Sodertalje combine the third-ranked offence and third-ranked defence in the league, while Uppsala lean on the best defence in the Basketligan. The tempo is where the two sides differ most.

Sodertalje score 87 points per game and allow 76.4, with an offensive rating of 116.4 and a defensive rating of 103.8. Uppsala score 80 and allow 79, posting a defensive rating of 98.7 that ranks first.

Uppsala play at a pace of 79.4, second in the league, while Sodertalje sit tenth at 74.2. Whoever sets the speed may shape how much Uppsala's offence, ranked ninth at 101.6, can find.

Sodertalje vs Uppsala players to watch

The headline duel pits Eric Van Der Heijden, third in the league by TeamKeys Rating, against Romeo Myrthil, who ranks fifth. Both are central to how their teams play.

Van Der Heijden, Uppsala's centre, averages 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists, but his last three outings read 23, 17 and 0. Javier Marin adds 10.5 points and 5 assists, while Melker Delryd contributes 11.5 points.

For Sodertalje, Myrthil posts 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds from point guard. Youssouf Ali leads the scoring at 19.1 points, with recent games of 18, 26 and 30, and Andrew Rohde adds 18.1 points and 6.1 assists.

What can Sodertalje vs Uppsala change in the Basketligan table?

For Sodertalje, the game is a chance to stretch an unbeaten start to eight; for Uppsala, it is a chance to bounce back and hand the leaders a first defeat. Both outcomes would reshape the early picture.

Sodertalje need their efficient offence to find room against the league's top-ranked defence. Uppsala need a sharper attacking night than against Umea and steady output from Van Der Heijden to keep pace with the 87 points the leaders average.