Focus in Sarajevo, pressure on Široki

Match of the Week: FK Sarajevo-FK Olimpic

Sarajevo has a very difficult schedule with three straight derby fixtures (Zrinjski, Olimpic and Željezničar). They started well with a draw in Mostar and they now face the youngest Sarajevo club, Olimpic. The wolves started the season very poorly but they have now climbed up to 6th place with 17 points. Sarajevo is tied second with their main rivals with 23 points. Both teams have played well recently but, perhaps, Olimpic is in a better form. This game will be decided by few minor details.

Prediction: How about a 1-1 draw? I can’t give an advantage to either side.

FK Velež-NK Zvijezda

Velež has had an opposite situation compared to Olimpic. They started furiously, holding first place in the first rounds, but they now sit in 7th with 14 points. Zvijezda played a little bit below expectations, as their home performances were inconsistent. Velež was crushed last week in Grbavica while Zvijezda held on to a point against a though Gabela side. Neither team has an advantage based on form or quality; it could really go either way.

Prediction: How about another 1-1 draw? Again, I can’t separate those teams.

FK Kozara-HŠK Zrinjski

From the arrival of Jagodić as head coach of Kozara, the team has played fairy well. They have dug out of relegation zone and are now safer with 12 points and a 9th position. Zrinjski has been very good in its travels taking difficult points in Sarajevo and Zenica. Once again, I could see myself putting my money on whichever outcome. Zrinski is probably better but Kozara play very discilplined.

Prediction: Zrinjski is going to scrape it 0-1.

FK Leotar-NK Travnik

Again, we have two very similar teams, both with 12 points. Travnik has been bad lately and I can easily see them lose on Police stadium. Leotar has played some very strong and some very poor games this season. Usually, they play well on their home field and that should be a main advantage.

Prediction: Leotar to take it 2-0

NK Široki Brijeg-FK Rudar Prijedor

A game Široki has to win to stay on top of the Premijer Liga. All of their past wins came with controversy or luck, and this is a good time to prove that they are the best team in the league. Rudar has made a good reputation in the Premijer Liga after only two seasons. They are not an easy team to beat, especially when underestimated. However, the team from Herzegovina has too much quality and should win it easily.

Prediction: Široki should win it 3-1

FK Slavija-FK Željezničar

Last week, we had two Mostar-Sarajevo derbies. This week, we have two intra-Sarajevo derbies. Slavija will host one of its oldest rivals in Lukavica, as they will try to get out of a crisis that has been lasting for well over 60 days. Željezničar will try to confirm its tremendous form with yet another win, against a much weaker team. Željo needs to deliver in this game before starting to think about next week’s derby against Sarajevo. Underestimating Slavija could be fatal for the team from Grbavica.

Prediction: Željezničar definitely has the quality to top Slavija 0-2.

GOŠK-FK Borac

GOŠK has been a very tough nut to crack for a lot of teams. They don’t score a lot of goals, but they aren’t allowing much either. Draws have been the home side’s trademark so far this season, recording 4 ties in their last 5. Borac had struggled for a few games but now seems back on track with a demolition of Sloboda last week. Borac is definitely better but GOŠK is not an easy team to play.

Prediction: I could see yet another draw for GOŠK in this duel.

Postponed NK Čelik-FK Sloboda

The game is postponed in order to prepare the field for the play-off match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal in November.

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