SSL: Partizan v Crvena Zvezda preview

Partizan and Crvena Zvezda meet for a 158^th edition of Belgrade`s Eternal Derby on Sunday (7pm CET kick-off) as part of Serbian Super League round 9 fixtures.

League-wise, Partizan hosted Crvena Zvezda 78 times so far winning 30 games and drawing and losing 24 respectively. Gd:103-98, Partizan.

TEAM NEWS

Zoran Tosic and Zlatan Sehovic are both out of contention due to injuries.

Partizan boss Zoran Mirkovic on upcoming derby game:

– This is top fixture in Serbian football, one with massive buzz of anticipation and emotions and I`m pleased to be part of it as a coach now. We are playing against our greatest rival and I would like to see everyone involved – players on the field, everyone by the dugout, referees and fans – on a level required for such big event.

Crvena Zvezda is an exceptional team now, playing Champions League. They showed against Napoli how competitive they can be in this competition. They are firm and disciplined side, lethal in the attack. It`s also hard to score against them but derby games bring out of players things they don`t even know they are capable of and there`s always special adrenaline involved.

We are on a streak of good results but we need to play better, we need performance continuity. This game is big test for my side.

Midfielder Danilo Pantic:

– We are ready to battle for three points at home ground and we`ll do everything possible to win. Derby game is a match in its own right, a kind of a strange encounter when better side doesn`t necessarily wins. I`m sure Crvena Zvezda is not hundred percent convinced they`ll win it.

SSL round 9 full fixture list

Friday, 21. 09. 2018.

18h, Cukaricki – Spartak ZK (Arena Sport TV1 LIVE)

Saturday, 22. 09. 2018.

16h, Napredak – Dinamo (Arena Sport TV1 LIVE)

16h, Zemun – OFK Backa

19h, Mladost – Proleter

19h, Rad – Macva

19h, Radnik – Radnicki 

19h, Vojvodina – Vozdovac

Sunday, 23. 09. 2018.

19h, Crvena Zvezda – Partizan (Arena Sport TV1 LIVE)