SSL: Partizan v Crvena Zvezda preview

Partizan is home to Crvena Zvezda on Sunday (6pm CET kick-off) for a 165^th edition of Eternal Belgrade derby, as part of Linglong Tire Serbian Super Liga round 9 fixtures.

H2H (last six)

Partizan 1, CZ 2, Drawn 3. Gd: 5-5.

H2H (league total)

Partizan 47, CZ 65, Drawn 52.

H2H (Partizan Stadium total)

Partizan 31, CZ 24, Drawn 26. Gd: 107-100, Partizan.

H2H (last five, Partizan Stadium)

Partizan 2, CZ 0, Drawn 3. Gd: 6-3, Partizan.

TEAM NEWS

Seydouba Soumah shook off his muscle injury but remains very much doubtful due to the lack of training. Ricardo Gomes (knock) is a slight doubt. Danilo Pantic (muscle injury) remains sidelined.

Partizan boss Aleksandar Stanojevic on upcoming derby encounter:

-I`m glad we can go into this derby game without fearing that our title rival can create point margin, that we are competitive in this year`s title battle. But, even if we win and create a five point gap, it means nothing really, we are not going to win title after eight games played.

Last season in a home derby, we were a bit unlucky, conceded a late goal, but we kind of deserved the outcome. I hope it`s going to be different now, we are at home and it`s always a special emotion here. We are together for a year now and we did a lot during this period with our game style, it`s easier now. I want our fans to feel our emotion on the pitch and we`ll go out there to win, naturally. Last season`s derbies were not so significant point-wise, now we have an opportunity to battle for the title until the very end.

Both teams are doing well in European competitions so that might lift a bit of weight of the shoulders, to play this derby match with more risks involved, to try and play for the fans, for them to enjoy.

I know my line-up and I have an idea how we are going to play. We might swap some playing positions, that`s it. But, I can`t reveal the starting line-up.

Credits to our rival on their game against Braga. As a coaching staff, we know what it means to win one of the top Portuguese teams. Crvena Zvezda changed their style a bit, they press more and poise danger in transition play. We know what to expect from them, just not sure if they are going to play three at the back or not.

PHOTO GALLERY: MIROSLAV TODOROVIC