The Serbian Super Liga returns this weekend with Round 8 of the 2021-22 season. There are three games to be played on Saturday, as well as three on Sunday. We’ll now preview all of those matchups, analyze the teams and their odds, and provide some betting predictions.
Radnicki 1923 vs Partizan
When: Saturday, September 11 – 16:00 CEST
Where: Stadion Čika Dača in Kragujevac, Serbia
Weather: Sunny, 23°C
Referee: Stanko Ostraćanin (SRB)
The betting odds on Partizan are extremely short, even at sharp bookies. For example, Pinnacle is giving only 1.176 on the Belgrade side to win. The reason behind this is obvious – Partizan are a much better team than Radnicki 1923.
And it’s been like that for ages. In fact, in the past 16 meetings between the two, Partizan won 13 times. The remaining three ended in a draw.
It’s also fair to note that Radnicki 1928 last took a point from Partizan more than 20 years ago, on August 18, 2001. The remaining two draws happened in September and May 2000.
Actually, these two sides haven’t had too many meetings so far, especially not in recent years. The reason is that Radnicki 1928 spent the last six years in the second tier of the Serbian football system.
Obviously, odds of 1.176 don’t look too tempting, which is why Asian handicap betting might be a better option, knowing that Partizan should grab a big win on Saturday afternoon.
Another interesting betting option is on Radnicki 1923 to not score. It’s not just that the host is much weaker than Partizan; it’s also because the away team haven’t conceded a single goal in the past three games.
Vojvodina vs Metalac
When: Saturday, September 11 – 16:00 CEST
Where: Stadion Karađorđe in Novi Sad, Serbia
Weather: Sunny, 25°C
Referee: Jovan Šegrt (SRB)
At first glance, Vojvodina might seem like a clear favorite – they play at home against a team that has lost five of the previous six games across all competitions.
However, Vojvodina have been struggling with their scoring. They have scored only six in as many league games.
The same is the case with Metalac, suggesting that their duel on Saturday should be low-scoring. However, their previous three meetings were just the opposite, producing a combined total of 12 goals.
Still, things have changed over the years, especially when it comes to Metalac. This team has a young squad, with players determined to show their worth to bigger Serbian clubs.
That said, we expect a fierce battle in the centre of the pitch, with not too many goal attempts.
Prediction: Vojvodina to win – 2.01 at Sportmarket
Crvena Zvezda vs Proleter
When: Saturday, September 11 – 20:00 CEST
Where: Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade, Serbia
Weather: Clear, 20°C
Referee: Momčilo Marković (SRB)
Crvena Zvezda and Proleter have met only eight times in history, and Crvena Zvezda won each of those games. What’s even more impressive is that Zvezda conceded only one goal over that stretch.
However, they have allowed a goal in their previous three games – against Cukaricki, TSC Backa Topola in the Serbian Super Liga, and CFR Cluj in the Europa League Qualification.
Speaking of the Europa League, that’s where Crvena Zvezda plays next Thursday. The Serbian champion starts their group stage campaign against Portuguese heavyweight Braga.
Because of this, Crvena Zvezda might go easy on Proleter on Saturday. After all, they surely don’t want to get tired/injured ahead of their first Europa League game of the season.
Nevertheless, a dominant win is still expected for Zvezda.
Prediction: Under 3.50 Goals – 1.80 at Sportmarket
Kolubara vs Novi Pazar
When: Sunday, September 12 – 16:55 CEST
Where: SRC Kolubara in Lazarevac, Serbia
Weather: Sunny, 26°C
Referee: Nenad Minaković (SRB)
Neither team should have too high ambitions for this season. Still, avoiding relegation should be the primary target for both of these clubs.
While neither team is expected to shine domestically, Novi Pazar has better players. Unfortunately for them, they’re also a terrible away team.
Novi Pazar have played four away games on the season and have yet to win a single one (0-1-3). What’s more, their away scoring differential is at -4 (5-9).
Can the visitors get their first away win of the season? They might, although a draw seems like a more probable scenario.
Radnicki Nis vs FK Vozdovac
When: Sunday, September 12 – 16:55 CEST
Where: Gradski Stadion Čair in Niš, Serbia
Weather: Sunny, 27°C
Referee: Miloš Milanović (SRB)
Radnicki Nis are in terrible form heading into this match. On the other side, Vozdovac FK players have been playing fantastic football lately.
Regardless of their form, the hosts are a better team than Vozdovac, which explains why the odds of them winning are as short as 1.80.
Furthermore, Radnicki are famously hard to beat when playing in Niš. Last season, they managed an impressive 9-4-6 record at home, while Vozdovac’s away record showed 5-3-11.
Mladost vs Cukaricki
When: Sunday, September 12 – 19:00 CEST
Where: Stadion Mladosti u Lučanima in Lučani, Serbia
Weather: Sunny, 17°C
Referee: Lazar Lukić (SRB)
Mladost are desperate to break their losing streak of six straight defeats. As it stands now, they’re the only team in the Serbian Super Liga that’s still without a point.
Although they have been dreadful at the back, Mladost’s most significant problem so far has been their anaemic offence.
In the previous round, they lost to TSC Backa Topola (1-2), scoring their only goal in the second half. After they did it, Mladost had another 30 minutes to try and get the equaliser; however, they couldn’t do it mainly because they’ve managed to create only one chance.
Obviously, the hosts need to do better in the attack on Sunday. The trouble is that they’re taking on Cukaricki, who are known to do well from counter-attacks.
Cukaricki have a fantastic attack this season, with Djordje Jovanovic as their key man. The 22-year-old has already scored six goals this season – two times as many as the entire Mladost squad on the year.
