This is the second edition of our latest installment, “Power Rankings”, which compares the current form of the 12 clubs in the Macedonian First League.

Power Rankings are a staple in North American sports leagues, so we decided to introduce it here as well.  We will publish the power rankings near the end of each month since you need 3-5 games to get a gauge of a team’s form. Weekly power rankings would not see much change with only one game having been played in that timeframe.  In this second edition, we took into consideration the play of each club during the past three rounds (27, 28 and 29), ranking the 12 teams based on current form. The biggest jump was made by Metalurg who moved up four spots to #1, while the biggest fall saw Pelister drop back four spots.

rank	team	record		comments
1 (↑4)		3-0-0		Metalurg is in great form at the moment by winning the past 3 games, all against teams near the top of table. They were somewhat of an outsider in the title race, but now they have to be considered one of the favorites.
2 (=0)		3-0-0		Like Metalurg, Shkendija also won the last three games, but all wins came against lower ranked opponents. They are 6 points away from a Europa League spot. Nonetheless, due to their improved play, it seems possible that they could quality for that competition this summer.
3 (↓2)		2-0-1		Rabotnicki was on the top spot in the previous rankings, but they lost that spot after their last loss to Metalurg. It was a tough loss as the Romantics controlled their own destiny, but that is no longer the case with that defeat.
4 (↑2)		2-1-0		Turnovo collected 7 points from the previous 3 games, but the two wins came against Napredok and Gostivar, the bottom two teams on table.
5 (↓1)		2-0-1		The Blues have been consistently collecting points over the past month and know they are 5 points above the relegation zone. The fight, however, is not over because they close with a tough schedule.
6 (↑1)		1-1-1		The resigning league champion is still in search of finding themselves. Vardar completed a big win over Renova, only to then lose against Metalurg and draw in the home clash against Pelister.
7 (↓4)		1-1-1		The team from Bitola is slowing down recently. Pelister is still in the race, but their last results will make things difficult. Pelister must improve or they might not qualify for a European competition in the summer.
8 (↑1)		1-0-2		Many pundits thought that Gorno Lisiche is a certain candidate for relegation, but the Vulpines are still fighting and they have played tight games against higher ranked opponents. They are a desperate team as they look to avoid relegation.
9 (↑1)		1-0-2		The team from Gjorche Petrov is nearly close to being mathematically eliminated as they are 11 points behind the last spot that avoids the drop with just 4 rounds to go. Makedonija GjP has been unable to accumulate many points over last month.
10 (↓2)		0-1-2		Renova achieved just 1 point in the last three rounds, and is in a very delicate situation. They look set to battle Gorno Lisiche to see which of those two teams will be able to avoid the drop.
11 (=0)		0-0-3		Gostivar is already relegated and they are ranked ahead of Napredok only because they have shown more fight over past 3 rounds.
12 (=0)		0-0-3		Just like Gostivar, Napredok collected three losses from last three games. Napredok let in 11 goals as their miserable season slowly comes to an end.

* In brackets is how much each team moved up, moved down or stayed in same from previous rankings.

The next Power Rankings will be released after Round 32, the second to last round of the season.

Tell us what you think of the Power Rankings in the comments section below, or by simply joining our forum.