Interestingly, the Podgorica derby between current champions Budućnost and Mladost Lob.bet will be played in Pljevlja, at the Rudara stadium "under Golubinja". The team from Donja Golubinja does not play its home matches at the DG Arena due to problems with the Mareza canal, and it is interesting that the location "chosen" for the home match is practically the furthest from Podgorica - 162 kilometers.
Mladost are currently sixth in the table, while Budućnost are seventh, separated by just one point. Both teams are also three and four points away from a place in Europe, respectively. In the second half of the season, both teams recorded a win, a draw and a loss.
"We play in the biggest club in Montenegro, we have to be aware of that, and that every game is the toughest test, because the opponent will always give their best, and you have an obligation to achieve victory. I hope we will return to Podgorica with three points," said Podgorica striker Ivan Bulatović.
The team from Donja Gorica won both of their matches this season.
"That fact alone commands respect from our side. Mladost is a tough team, they have a lot of quality players in the team, they always have a special motive against Buducnost, but like every team – they have their flaws. We are familiar with the opponent's flaws and we will try to use them in the best possible way. We need a win," Bulatović emphasized.
The derby round, at least when looking at the table, will be played in Tuzi, where third-placed Dečić will face Petrovac, which is one position lower.
Nebojša Jandrić's team played their last two matches without goals (Budućnost and Mornar), while before that they lost to Jedinstvo. Petrovac won against Jezero and Arsenal, and lost to Sutjeska. The last four matches between these two teams ended in draws.
"We have a demanding match ahead of us against a quality team from Dečić, which has shown stability and good organization on the field this season. We are aware of the quality of their team, but I believe in our work, discipline and team spirit. With maximum focus and the right approach from the first minute, our goal is to play a quality match and get important points," said Petrovac player Nemanja Belaković.
Autumn champion and leader Sutjeska "near Bistrica" welcomes the penultimate Bokelj. Nikšić dismissed Dejan Jelenić a few days ago and appointed Milorad Peković as the new coach. He was supposed to debut today, but he has not yet been promoted, so the team will be led by Boris Milicković and his associates.
"Tomorrow's game is very important for us for several reasons. The coaching staff will lead this game together. As for the Bokelj team itself, I don't think they should be fooled by their current position in the table. They have a certain quality and they have shown it with their games during the season, maybe their result, but I expect them to give their maximum, like every team that plays against us. On the other hand, we have quality and are the favorites in this game and I expect our guys to give their best performance in order to score new points in this game. I think we need to go step by step, a victory would affect us in many ways," said Milickovic, who can count on all the players.
Second-placed Mornar plays host to Jedinstvo in Bijelo Polje.
Barani recorded their first spring triumph in the last round against Mladost, while the team from Bijelo Polje defeated Bokelj away and recorded their first victory after 13 matches and more than five months.
Captain of the Mariners, Andrija Kaluđerović, believes in a positive outcome.
"A very important game for us against a team that is in an unenviable position in the table, but whose quality does not deserve that place. We are aware of their quality and we know what awaits us tomorrow. Ours is to enter the game with maximum focus, and with a little luck I hope we will achieve a positive result," said Kaluđerović.
Arsenal and Jezero will meet in Tivat to close out this round. The Plav team has won both of its matches this season, and the Tivat team has been waiting for more than two years for a triumph against its current rival.
SCHEDULE
Mladost Lob.bet – Buducnost (2:00 p.m.)
Decic – Petrovac (2:00 p.m.)
Sutjeska – Bokelj SBBet (2:00 p.m.)
Unity of Franco – Mornar (3:30 p.m.)
Arsenal – Lake (4:00 p.m.)
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