The new season in the Macedonian top flight begins today with three games on the schedule.
Newly promoted Pobeda and Pelister will feature in the Derby of Pelagonia, a game that will be played in Bitola at the stadium of Pelister. Strangely, but Pobeda will play as host in the field of its biggest rival. Their stadium in Prilep is under construction so they had to find a new temporary location. Last season in the Second League they recorded one 1:1 draw, then Pelister won 2:1 at home, while Pobeda won in Prilep with 4:1. As the biggest derby of the round, the FFM decided this match to feature additional referees next to each of the goals.
Sunday at 17.30 CET
Pod Tumbe Kafe stadium in Bitola
Pobeda vs. Pelister
referee: Dimitar Mechkarovski (Skopje)
assistants: Dejan Nedelkoski & Goce Petreski (Skopje)
fourth oficial: Zharko Todorovski (Ohrid)
additional referees: Marjan Eckoski (Ohrid) & Konstantin Vlaho (Skopje)
Live stream: STREAM1
The other game that will be play at the same time is between Bregalnica and Renova. And another game in which the host team will play on another location. Same as last season Bregalnica again will host its games in the town of Kochani as the construction works at their home field in Shtip are taking forever. The hosts will be without one of their best players, the injured Angel Nacev. Last season their first game ended 1:1, then Bregalnica won 3:2 at home, while Renova had their revenge in Tetovo celebrating a comfortable 3:0 win.
Sunday at 17.30 CET
Nikola Mantov stadium in Kochani
Bregalnica vs. Renova
referee: Dejan Jakimovski (Skopje)
assistants: Dejan Dimitrijevikj & Igor Shirilov (Skopje)
fourth oficial: Marjan Mladenovski (Skopje)
Live stream: STREAM1
The last game scheduled for Sunday is the local Skopje derby between Vardar and Shkupi. It will be played in the evening in Strumica as Vardar has one game left to play 100 km away from Skopje due last season’s incident suspension. The holders are firm favourites to clinch a win even on neutral field. Last season these two also met in the opening round with Shkupi taking a surprising point and was even leading 2:0. Later in the season they met 3 more times with Vardar celebrating 3:0, 1:0 and 2:0.
Sunday at 20.00 CET
Mladost Stadium in Strumica
Vardar vs. Shkupi
referee: Zorancho Temelkov (Kavadarci)
assistants: Petar Novachev (Veles) & Gjorgji Stankovski (Strumica)
fourth oficial: Marjan Gocevski (Strumica)
Live stream: STREAM1, STREAM2
Shkendija, the best Macedonian representative in the European cups this summer, will play its game on Monday as they had a road game on Thursday night in the Europa League. They are the favourites in this clash against Sileks who is weakened since the last season when they managed to beat Shkendija 3:1 at home, but in the other matches the Red&Blacks won 3:1 twice and once 3:0.
Monday at 17.30 CET
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Shkendija vs. Sileks
referee: Petar Mantev (Negotino)
assistants: Nikola Karakolev (Shtip) & Ilija Gonev (Negotino)
fourth oficial: Faton Mustafi (Tetovo)
Live stream: STREAM1, STREAM2
The last game of this round will be played on Wednesday. Newly promoted Makedonija GjP was supposed to host Rabotnichki regularly on Sunday, but to a technical problems with their stadium the game was moved. Despite several key players left Rabotnichki, they are the favourites in this clash having in mind the weak squad of the host team.
Wednesday at 17.30 CET
Gjorche Petrov stadium in Skopje
Makedonija GjP vs. Rabotnichki
referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)
assistants: Marjan Kirovski & Dejan Kostadinov (Skopje)
fourth oficial: Josip Barton (Tetovo)
Live stream: STREAM1
Don’t forget to predict the games in our Prediction League. The best in the rankings will get awards at the end. Also, you can join our Forum to discuss the games.