PMFL: Tikvesh host Bregalnica, Sileks winless for two months
Tikvesh are favourites in Kavadarci; Sileks arrive under pressure after five winless rounds.
After a three-week break for national team fixtures, the domestic top flight resumes today with two matches from Round 9 of the PMFL. With these fixtures the season completes its first circuit — effectively the opening quarter of the campaign.
In Kavadarci, Tikvesh will host Bregalnica in a 12:00 kickoff. Tikvesh are clear favourites on paper: they have stronger personnel and harbour ambitions for European qualification, so anything other than a home win would be a surprise. Still, the long pause could have an effect on coach Oliver Bogatinov's side.
Pressure on Sileks
At 13:00 in Gostivar, Arsimi meet Sileks. Under normal circumstances Aleksandar Vasoski's team would be expected to take this game, despite Arsimi's own qualities. Yet Sileks arrive under pressure — they have not won in exactly two months. The last Sileks victory came on 15 August when they beat Skopje 3:0 in Round 3. Since then five rounds have passed: Sileks recorded three defeats and two draws, collecting only two points from a possible 15.
That sequence has increased the burden on Sileks, while the home side Arsimi can be dangerous at their ground. The matchup in Gostivar therefore promises to be closely contested despite the bookmakers' presumptions.
Matches for today — Round 9:
- Kavadarci: Tikvesh – Bregalnica (12:00)
- Gostivar: Arsimi – Sileks (13:00)
League table heading into the round: Shkëndija (T) 19, Struga TL 17, Vardar 14, Tikvesh 13, Shkëndija (A) 13, Bregalnica 10, Sileks 9, Arsimi 8, Bashkimi 4, Skopje 3.
Photo: press material from the event
