MORTEN Wieghorst is tipping Malmo to see off Hibernian tonight — and believes Swansea City will face a tough test against the Swedes.
Hibernian host Malmo at Easter Road this evening looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round clash.
The winners play Swansea at the Liberty a week later, with the return match following seven days after that.
The tie will bring Swansea's first taste of European football for more than 20 years.
But their assistant manager insists there is no time for nostalgia as Michael Laudrup's side could face a club more than capable of ending their Continental adventure before it has begun.
"Personally, I think it will be difficult for Hibs," Wieghorst said.
"I went on to their website the other day to check up on them and they believe they still have a chance, and their fans will create an atmosphere to make it difficult for the Swedes. But to be honest, trailing 2-0 from the away leg is difficult because if Malmo score once then Hibs need four.
"I believe Malmo will go through."
Wieghorst is well qualified to comment on the tie as he hails from Denmark — Sweden's neighbours — and spent a decade playing in Scotland for Dundee and then Celtic.
He came up against Hibs numerous times during that spell before heading home to play for Brondby in 2002. The Danes have a history of rivalry with Sweden, and the former midfielder admits that will surface should Swansea play Malmo.
"There is extra spice for a few of us," said the former Denmark Under-21 boss.
"Malmo is just across the bridge from Copenhagen. As long as we win — that's the main thing.
"It's been a few years for me, but Easter Road is a nice ground.
"Hibs will get a good turnout for a game like that and there's always a good atmosphere.
"But I still believe Malmo will go through.
"I've played against them a few times when I played in Denmark and followed the Swedish league a lot when I was a manager back home.
"I don't know much about their present team, but they have big traditions.
"They were big in the 1980s and while that may be some time ago, they sit top of the league in Sweden.
"If they do go through, they are a team who we will be expected to beat, but we can't treat them lightly.
"They will be well organised, hard-working and they'll have one or two players who can play a bit."
Capable
Swansea are two ties away from reaching the Europa League group stages, and their passing style has seen them being tipped to flourish in the competition by some.
But Wieghorst warns that a ring-rusty Swansea side are coming up against a team who are midway through their season.
"When I played for Celtic, in the domestic league, we didn't play many teams who could keep the ball like a lot of the European or Continental teams do," he added.
"At Swansea we like to keep the ball.
"We're capable of keeping the ball and playing that kind of game.
"That should stand us in good stead.
"But if Malmo do go through then we can use them as a good example — they have played all summer.
"They are in the middle of their season and that's another thing we have to take into consideration.
"It will be a difficult tie, and what we have to do is treat the game as if it was a Premier League game. We can't afford to underestimate the opposition.
"We have to also realise we are playing in Europe. We're playing home and away. It's not just one tie.
"Away goals can be a big factor. We're at home in the first leg and we'll have to be very aware of that."
Tough task Swansea City assistant manager Morten Wieghorst says the Swans will face a difficult test if Malmo progress this evening.
