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.

Comment and give your thoughts!
Follow me on Twitter!