Last year ended with a second place for Elfsborg.
And with five rounds left of this year's Allsvenskan season, they hold the same position, on as many recorded points as the league leader Malmö.
A Malmö with a slightly better goal difference.
In the away meeting with Degerfors, who was in great need of points for another reason, the guests got off to a favorable start when Leo Väisänen stayed at the far post and nodded in the lead goal already in the sixth minute.
Big-playing Valdimarsson
The 1-0 lead lasted the half, and after the match clock passed match minute 60, Elfsborg increased to 2-0 when Jeppe Okkels placed the ball behind Alfie Whiteman in the Degerfors goal.
However, Degerfors got in touch with just over ten minutes left to play, when Victor Edvardsen scored his thirteenth goal of the season - played by recently replaced Nikola Djurdjic.
But Elfsborg managed to keep away, and that much thanks to 20-year-old Hakon Valdimarsson.
The Icelandic goalkeeper was responsible for a series of match-winning saves and when the newcomer pressed for an equalizer.
The three-pointer means that Elfsborg now stands at 48 points, as the first Malmö.
One point ahead of AIK and Djurgården, who fell heavily in the away match against IFK Gothenburg.
The article is updated