SSL: Partizan v Crvena Zvezda preview

Partizan is home to bitter rivals Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday (8pm CET kick-off) as part of Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga round 9 fixtures.

H2H (last six)

Partizan 0, CZ 2, Drawn 4. Gd: 5-2, CZ.

TEAM NEWS

Andrija Pavlovic remains sidelined. Danilo Pantic is the only long-term absentee.

Partizan boss Gordan Petric ahead of the Eternal derby game:

-Two games a week is our reality now and players are aware what`s ahead of them, they are fully focused and they`ll do their best tomorrow. They are gradually relaxing after a lot of tension around and one can see their progress. I only expect from them to be fully professional and hundred percent focused.

If you ask me would I be satisfied with a draw tomorrow, it`s a hypothetical question, it depends on how the things will develop. If visitors are going to be better side on the day, then I`ll be happy with a draw. At this moment, draw is not an option. We know how they`ll play and we understand their player`s characteristics, apart from their latest signing Coulibaly as we didn`t see him play yet. Our players have quality to fulfil all the tasks but I think two teams cannot shock each other with anything new.

I know my line-up 90%. I`m clear with formation too and I think our rivals know how we are going to start. I have one or two dilemmas due to a bonus or foreign players rule. But, let`s see if everyone is fit and healthy first.

We tried to move this fixture one day forward, we wanted to get extra day`s rest but our rivals declined it. I respect their work schedule and there`s no hard feelings, it`s just the matter of fatigue.

I don`t think tomorrow`s game is season`s turning point but a win would a give us more stability and we could make more team changes later on with congested fixture list in full swing.