PL BiH looking forward to an exciting spring!

Fall Champion: FK Željezničar

After a rocky start to the season, Željezničar has recorded 12 games without defeat, and 9 straight wins. The team of Amar Osim played well in the Europa League defeating Sheriff (1-0, 0-0) before getting sourly eliminated by Maccabi Tel Aviv (0-2, 0-6). The team was definitely in a crisis following Maccabi’s trashing of the Bosnian cup winner. Nonetheless, the team, led by Zeba and Adilović, the league’s best assistant and striker, and pushed by veterans such as Gušo and Bešlija, managed to start a fantastic run. Željezničar look like heavy favourites to win the title, even though they currently enjoy a single point lead over their closest rival NK Široki Brijeg.

Relegation Favourites: FK Slavija, NK Travnik

We won’t elaborate a lot on Slavija; they haven’t won since week 3 and total only 7 points. Travnik, their closest concurrent, has a six point cushion, and it doesn’t look like the team from Eastern Sarajevo will close the gap any time soon. Travnik is in a much “better” position, as they are tied with 13 points with FK Kozara and FK Leotar. I am pretty confident Slavija will play in Republika Srpska’s top championship next year, while the cards are open for Travnik, Kozara, and Leotar.

Surprise of the season: HŠK Zrinjski

Last year, Zrinjski had a terrible season, and was even in relegation zone for a few weeks. Not a lot of people took Slaven Musa’s side seriously when they were announcing that this season will be one to remember. They were undefeated in their first three, very difficult travels to Travnik, Čelik, and Željezničar. They have been defeated only twice in fifteen games, which is definitely a very worthy accomplishment in the Premijer Liga. In the second half of the season, they will have an easier schedule with more games on home field. Can Zrinjski upset Sarajevo or Borac and steal a way in Europe?

Disappointment of the season: FK Sloboda

If it wasn’t for a late 90^’ goal against Slavija on home soil, I would have already discussed Sloboda’s case in the relegation favourites section. Sloboda hasn’t won a single point outside of Tuzla and they have suffered very serious defeats, shown by their -16 goal differential. Sloboda is very lucky to have 16 points, and should not take this lead for granted. Sloboda needs to restructure the club entirely and fix its financial problems if it wants to become a serious threat in Bosnian soccer.

Prediction for the second half

For the second half, I predict that the current top 5 will extend its lead over the rest, with the possibility of Olimpic joining the leading pack. Kozara, Travnik, and Leotar will battle each other until week 30 to save their spot in the Premijer Liga. I predict teams like GOŠK and Zvijezda have no chance of being relegated, even though they are not far from the bottom. I think Željezničar will extend its good run and clinch the championship with a win against Široki in week 16 and a good form in the remainder of the season. Široki will grab spot number two, while Borac will take third. Sarajevo should take fourth, and therefore qualify for Europe for a second straight year, in the likely event Željezničar, Široki or Borac win the cup.

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All eyes on Pecara

Game of the week: NK Široki Brijeg - HŠK Zrinjski (Mostar)

Željezničar and Sarajevo are patiently waiting for Široki to be beaten to get closer to Premijer Liga’s top spot. This match could provide a great opportunity for the clubs from Sarajevo as red hot Zrinjski visits Pecara for what could be the greatest Herzegovina derby so far. Zrinjski has been particularly terrific in its away games, being defeat only in Banja Luka. Široki is having an amazing season, as they are currently undefeated for over two full months. It is interesting to note that only Sloboda managed to beat the leaders, a team that is currently in the relegation zone.

Prediction: Slaven Musa’s side is motivated and confident. I believe they can take a point from Široki with a 1-1 draw.

NK Čelik (Zenica) - GOŠK (Gabela)

Čelik has beaten the team from Gabela twice quite easily this season in the cup competition. In addition, Čelik has been only beaten once in the past 7 by Široki. Nonetheless, no one can discredit GOŠK which has been playing very well, whether it’s home or away. I think Čelik is in too good of a form to drop this one.

Prediction: The hosts should take it 1-0.

FK Velež (Mostar) - FK Sloboda (Tuzla)

Apart from Slavija, the two teams that have been in the poorest form are Velež and Sloboda. Velež, which had such a big lead over Sloboda early this season, reduced its advantage by a mere 2 points. With a win, Sloboda could potentially overtake the Mostarians and throw them in relegation zone. This match is crucial, especially to the home team, for whom a defeat would translate into disaster.

Prediction: Tough call. Velež is better but they failed to win on several occasion at home. Still, they should take it 1-0.

FK Slavija (Istočno Sarajevo) - FK Borac (Banja Luka)

Slavija is on a ten game winless streak and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. Borac, the reigning champion, should have more than enough to overcome a team that is headed full-gear towards Republika Srpska’s Prva Liga.

Prediction: Borac should win it by 3-4 goals.

FK Sarajevo - NK Zvijezda Gradačac

Sarajevo still has open wounds from their defeat to Željezničar and will do everything they can to record a new W. However, they may have preferred to face another team than Zvijezda which is undefeated in the last 5 games. Zvijezda has been consistent and has climbed from bottom to an impressive seventh place. In addition, they have been strong in their recent travels.

Prediction: Sarajevo should win it, but just barely. A draw wouldn’t surprise me.

FK Kozara (Gradiška) - FK Željezničar (Sarajevo)

Kozara hasn’t scored a goal in over a month, while they are hosts to Premijer Liga’s most productive offense. Željezničar has had a perfect record over their last 7 games. However, it is important to note that Kozara allowed only three goals in their past 6 which is one of the best defensive forms around the Premijer Liga. Kozara is probably going to focus on a defensive strategy while Željezničar will try to score as soon as possible.

Prediction: Željo will take it 0-2.

FK Leotar (Trebinje) - FK Olimpic (Sarajevo)

Leotar hasn’t won on its own field in the last three games played on Police stadium; Olimpic will provide to be an even tougher challenge. The visitors have been very strong over the past two months and I see them extending their good form in Trebinje. In the last six games, Leotar has only scored a single goal, which is a clear indicator that they will not fare very well against perhaps the most offensive-minded team in the league.

Prediction: Olimpic to win it 0-2.

FK Rudar Prijedor - NK Travnik

Finally, we have a duel between Rudar and Travnik. The locals are faring fairly well on the table with 15 points and a good tenth place. On the other hand, we have Travnik which has recorded a single win in the past three months. It is probably one of the rare duels I would refuse a free ticket for.

Prediction: Rudar will scrape it 1-0.

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Premijer Liga's Best XI

Here are my picks of Premijer Liga's best XI so far!

 

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Stressful day ahead for Sarajevo and Željezničar fans

Match of the week: FK Željezničar (Sarajevo) - FK Sarajevo

November 5th has been on the mind of Željezničar and Sarajevo fans for a long time. Yes, finally, derby time has come and teams will be able to settle their differences. Teams can win championships, but if they don’t beat their rival, a stain will remain on the season. Unfortunately, games between these two teams have finished goalless 6 times in the last 8. Both teams perform under high levels of stress and it often shows on their willingness to take risks. However, this year, Željezničar and Sarajevo are the two highest scoring teams with 28 and 25 goals respectively. Both teams are tied second with 26 points. The team that wins will have an enormous advantage going into the end of the fall season and could possibly take over first place should Široki lose in Travnik.

Prediction: It’s impossible to predict derbies; however, if I had to put my money, I would give an edge to Željezničar due to their incredible recent form.

FK Borac (Banja Luka) - FK Velež (Mostar)

Another derby will be played in Banja Luka in front of empty stands (due to the events in the match against Željezničar). Both teams were very competitive early in the season but have been very disappointing recently. Both clubs have amassed only 4 points in their last 5 games. Borac has been poor but I think Velež has been even worst.

Prediction: There is little doubt in my mind that Borac will take all three points.

FK Olimpic (Sarajevo) - FK Kozara (Gradiška)

This game will be played in the shadow of the “eternal derby” and will definitely not get any kind of media attention in Sarajevo. But, as we all know, this will be nothing new to the youngest Sarajevo club as they are very rarely in the spotlight. Kozara plays defensively very well and they do not allow many goals. Vlado Jagodić implemented a very efficient system and it has payed off for the club from Gradiška. Their objective to blank Olimpic will be very though as they constitute one of the biggest attacking powers in the league.

Prediction: It will be very difficult for Olimpic but they should take this game 1:0.

FK Rudar Prijedor - NK Čelik (Zenica)

We have two very different teams squaring off on Gradski Stadion in Prijedor. The locals have been very predictable so far; they have played well on their home field but haven’t done much outside Prijedor. On the other hand, the guests lost a lot of points on Bilino Polje but have also managed to take quite a few in their travels. The teams are evenly matched and have a similar form.

Prediction: I can see Čelik taking a point in Prijedor.

FK Sloboda (Tuzla) - GOŠK (Gabela)

On Tušanj stadium, one of the biggest disappointments will play one of the biggest surprises in this season. Sloboda grabbed a single point in their last 5 games and holds 15th place. GOŠK, in contrast, was beaten only once in their last 5 and has jumped from bottom table to top-half.

Prediction: Teams like Sloboda were an easy target for a very disciplined GOŠK side. The Gabelans will leave undefeated, my only dilemma is whether they will take one or three points.

HŠK Zrinjski (Mostar) - FK Leotar (Trebinje)

A duel from two teams from Herzegovina in which, there appears, there is only one likely outcome. The home team hasn’t lost in their last 6 games while the guests haven’t won in 5. Zrinjski is playing at home in front of their fans and there is no reason why they should lose this game. The only way Leotar could come up with a point is if Zrinjski can’t handle the pressure.

Prediction: Routine 3-0 win for Zrinjski

NK Travnik - NK Široki Brijeg

Travnik hosts the league leaders in a game that is important for both teams. Travnik hasn’t played very well recently and would definitely like to turn things around with style in front of their fans against the top team. On the other hand, Široki needs to win as Željezničar and Sarajevo are very close behind. However, Široki comes to Travnik with a lot of injured players and they will find it even more difficult to win in a very hostile environment.

Prediction: Travnik can take this one 1-0

NK Zvijezda (Gradačac) - FK Slavija (Istočno Sarajevo)

Zvijezda has played very inconsistently this season and they need all three points against a team that already has a leg in the Prva Liga Republike Srpske. Slavija has a disastrous goal difference of -24, allowing an incredible 34. Zvijezda has drawn a lot of games so far, but they just can’t afford not to win in this one.

Prediction: I could easily see Slavija losing by 4-5 goals in Gradačac

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