This round features several interesting games, although there’s no real derby. The top three teams on the table will all face tricky road games.
Vardar travels away to Kratovo to face their old rivals Sileks in a matchup of the only two clubs that have never been relegated from the Macedonian top division. Although these games are no longer considered derbies, Vardar is awaiting a tough road game against a very good home side in Sileks. During home matches, Sileks has won seven games with only one loss (against Shkendija) in eight home games this season.
Second placed Metalurg also faces a difficult road encounter this round in Tetovo against Renova. Renova has underperformed this season but they have recorded some good results such as two draws against the table leaders Vardar so this will be a tough match for Metalurg. Like Sileks, Renova has only suffered one home defeat (also against Shkendija), but they have drawn more games. If Metalurg wants to keep up with Vardar, they will need a good performance in Tetovo against a disciplined and tough to break down team in Renova.
The defending league champions, Shkendija, travel on the road to face the surprising team of the season, Ohrid. Ohrid has also suffered just one home loss in league play (against Vardar), and the club has played much better under manager Dragan Antic. This may be the most interesting game of the round as both teams play attacking football and will look to claim three points. Also, this match will be played on Monday since Shkendija recently played in a friendly tournament in Kosovo.
After eight consecutive losses in league play, Rabotnicki takes on last placed 11 Oktomvri in Skopje. This will be a good opportunity for Rabotnicki to finally end their losing streak and slowly attempt to regain some confidence. A win is imperative for the Club Hero but Rabotnicki has been in terrible form so 11 Oktomvri could pile on more misery to the Skopje based club. If the club who made an amazing run in the Europa League qualifications can’t beat the worst ranked team in the league at home, then there’s a very serious problem at the club.
In the other matches, Bregalnica Stip hosts Teteks with the home fans expecting another win, while two struggling sides in Napredok and Horizont Turnovo will face off in Kicevo.
Saturday:
Gradski stadium in Stip, 13.00 CET
Bregalnica Stip vs Teteks
Referee: Stevce Suleski (Ohrid)
Sileks stadium in Kratovo, 13.00 CET
Sileks vs Vardar
Referee: Ljubomir Krstevski (Bitola)
Gradski stadium in Tetovo, 13.00 CET
Renova vs Metalurg
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)
Gradski stadium in Kicevo, 13.00 CET
Napredok vs Horizont Turnovo
Referee: Zoran Temelkov (Kavadarci)
Boris Trajkovski stadium in Skopje, 13.00 CET
Rabotnicki vs 11 Oktomvri
Referee: Josip Barton (Tetovo)
Monday:
SRC Atina Bojadzi in Ohrid, 13.00 CET
Ohrid vs Shkendija
Referee: Zoran Boskov (Negotino)