Two big derbies are on the schedule for this round in the top division. Metalurg and Vardar, the top two clubs on the table, face off in Skopje while Tetovo based rivals Teteks and Shkendija will play in the eternal city derby.
Metalurg against Vardar has never been a derby in the Macedonian football history, but Metalurg has since become one of the best clubs in the country due to the ownership of successful businessman Minco Jordanov. Therefore, at the moment, Metalurg has become a rival to Macedonia’s most famous club, Vardar. Currently, Vardar is leading at the top of the table by two points over second placed Metalurg as neither side has lost a game this season. The game promises to be an interesting encounter as both teams will be extremely motivated, especially the home side Metalurg who will play their first game under new manager Gjorgji Hristov.
The other derby features two clubs, Teteks and current champions Shkendija, that do not like each other. This game is high risk as there have been incidents between the fans of both clubs in the past. The Teteks fans are predominantly Macedonian while the Shkendija supporters are mostly Albanian so the game is always played with great emotions. The police has already warned the fans not to cause incidents as there will be heavy police present at the stadium. Hopefully, the game will be remembered for football purposes as opposed to incidents in what should be a game of tremendous intensity. The Teteks fans were very angry when three of their former players, Marko and Miroslav Jovanovski along with Nenad Miskovski, all signed with Shkendija earlier in the summer.
In the other games, Rabotnicki will host Ohrid at Cair Stadium instead of the National Arena Philip II of Macedon due to ongoing renovations on the field. Also, due to the suspension of their Goce Delcev Stadium in Prilep, 11 Oktomvri will host Sileks in Struga because of a six match ban handed by FFM to the stadium in Prilep. Another interesting game will take place in Kicevo between Napredok and Renova with only one game scheduled on Sunday in the clash between Horizont Turnovo and Bregalnica Stip. Keep in mind that the match was moved back a day because the stadium in Turnovo will hold a game on Saturday in the women’s U17 qualifications.
Saturday:
Gradski Stadium in Tetovo, 14.00 CET
Teteks vs Shkendija
Referee: Marjan Eckoski (Ohrid)
Zelezarnica Stadium in Skopje, 14.00 CET
Metalurg vs Vardar
Referee: Dimitar Meckarovski (Skopje)
Karaorman Stadium in Struga, 14.00 CET
11 Oktomvri vs Sileks
Referee: Petar Mantev (Negotino)
Cair Stadium in Skopje, 14.00 CET
Rabotnicki vs Ohrid
Referee: Stojance Stojanov (Stip)
Gradski Stadium in Kicevo, 14.00 CET
Napredok vs Renova
Referee: Dejan Jakimovski (Skopje)
Sunday:
Kukus Stadium in Turnovo, 14.00 CET
Turnovo vs Bregalnica Stip
Referee: Ljubomir Krstevski (Bitola)