Our pick of the day is a Sarajevo derby match between Zeljeznicar Sarajevo v FK Sarajevo. These two Bosnian giants are meeting in the fifth round of the Bosnian Premijer Liga and, as normal, the home team is the huge favourite here.
My Prediction For This Game:
The two clubs are meeting early in the season and Zeljeznicar Sarajevo is the clear favourite in this match. They won three of the last five games at their stadium against FK Sarajevo (2-1, 2-1, 1-0); the other two games were draws (1-1 and 0-0). FK Sarajevo’s last win away in a derby came four years ago (2-1). Zeljeznicar Sarajevo is currently sitting at the top of the table; FK Sarajevo is third. We predict that the home team will continue the tradition and win this match, and 888sports offers great odds at 2.18 which we find very tempting.
Zeljeznicar Sarajevo:
Zeljeznicar Sarajevo won its first match in the league, but after a loss to NK Celik (1-0) in the second round, coach Slobodan Krcmarevic resigned and was replaced by Milomir Odovic, a favourite of the fans and players. He immediately turned the atmosphere of the team around and won games in the third and fourth round (2-0 against current champions HSK Zrinjski and 3-1 away at newcomer Zvijezda 09). Odovic changed the team’s style of play and it looks very good at the moment. He will have all the players at his disposal.
FK Sarajevo:
In FK Sarajevo, the team’s mood is the complete opposite of its rivals. After a humiliating defeat to Atalanta Bergamo (0-8) in the Europa League qualifications at the home stadium, the team luckily won away in Tuzla against Sloboda (1-0); they were struggling despite playing more than 30 minutes with 11 men against 10. In the last round, they drew 1-1 at home against a weak GOSK Gabela; their fans were very disappointed and demanded coach Husref Musemic resign; however, he refused.
Also, the team has massive internal problems. Goalkeeper, Bojan Pavlovic, showed his middle finger to fans during the loss to Atalanta Bergamo and he was then removed from the team; inexperienced 20-year old Vladan Kovacevic then replaced him between the posts. Fullback, Dusan Hodzic, openly criticised Musemic for his coaching, so he is also suspended, whilst centre back, Aleksandar Sofranac, has personal problems, meaning Musemic can’t rely on him. Also, Musemic has changed the back line in every game this season, so FK Sarajevo defence is very leaky. On top of that, the team’s best winger, Aladin Sisic, is injured and will not play.
Zeljeznicar Sarajevo last 5 games:
FK Sarajevo last 5 games:
Zeljeznicar Sarajevo v FK Sarajevo last 5 games:
Reasons For and Against The Tip:
✓ Zeljeznicar Sarajevo has played great and is on a winning streak after Milomir Odovic took over as head coach from Slobodan Krcmarevic.
✓ Zeljeznicar Sarajevo’s players are all available; FK Sarajevo’s best winger Sisisc is injured.
✓ FK Sarajevo is playing very badly at the moment.
✓ The atmosphere inside FK Sarajevo’s dressing room is awful; two players are suspended because of misbehaviour and one has personal problems.
✓ Zeljeznicar Sarajevo won 3 out of 5 of its last games at the home ground against FK Sarajevo.
✘ It’s still a derby match and is really hard to know what to expect; some early/fluke goal or red card could change everything.