TFT Issue 177!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Vardar Skopje vs Rabotnicki Skopje – home win at 8/5.
Today’s featured game is the big First League derby in Macedonia between Vardar and Rabotnicki in Skopje.
In recent times, Rabotnicki have been the more successful of the two sides and have played some good football whilst doing so. However, Vardar signed a lot of new players pre-season to improve their squad and the effects were very much visible last match against 11 Oktomvri. They poached a couple of players from rivals Metalurg Skopje and a few more experienced heads ala Stojakovic. Vardar are a capable side, it has to be said, and this is the ideal platform for them to get one over on their high-flying rivals.
It’s worth noting that there’s no home advantage in this game, incidentally – these two sides share the Filip II stadium. However, times aren’t ideal for “away side” Rabotnicki Skopje. They played two good games of football with Cypriot giants Anorthosis Famagusta and got their just rewards by passing through to the next round of the UEFA Europa League to take on Italian side Lazio, which is a magnificent achievment for a Macedonian side. However, this is now their fourth game in twelve days, they’ve got a big game with reigning champions Shkendija 79 looming at weekend, and then a tie with Lazio after that. Additionally, they’re missing captain Stojanov from defence and have severe doubts over regular striker Petrovic and promising midfielder Nastevski. This isn’t a good time to be playing a confident and rejuvenated Vardar Skopje and I think Rabotnicki might just stumble here.
Expect a close game between two good sides here, guys. This isn’t by any means a dead cert but I do like the odds on Vardar winning this game as it’s the focal point of their calendar right now whereas it’s second or third in Rabotnicki’s priorities and they do have a few problems ahead of this game, most notably with the absence of their captain. Therefore, the home win for Vardar at 8/5 is very appealing here.
Team news – Rabotnicki Skopje miss Stojanov and have doubts over Nastevski and Petrovic.
Verdict: Vardar Skopje to win at 8/5.