This past weekend, domestic football made its comeback following the winter hiatus, with a new round of the Meridianbet First Montenegrin Football League kicking off today.

The current leader, alongside their closest rival, is set to play away from home—Buducnost will face Arsenal in Tivat at 2 PM, while Petrovac takes on Sutjeska in Niksic an hour later.

With a 12-point gap between the teams from Podgorica and Budva, Ivan Brnović’s squad will be eager to maintain their championship momentum in the bay, while Zdravko Dragićević’s team aims for victory near Bistrica and will be looking for promising news from the Montenegrin coast.

Analyzing recent form and historical data, Buducnost is expected to perform well in Tivat, as they have never lost in that city, with three victories and two draws to their name.

– Regardless of our opponent, we approach each match with the determination to secure three points. That’s the mindset when wearing the Buducnost jersey. We must enter the game with full concentration because Arsenal is a strong team; they’ve had a solid start to the spring season and will be highly motivated, not just due to facing Buducnost but also because they’ll be hosting the country’s largest club – stated Buducnost goalkeeper Filip Domazetović, who will be guarding the net in place of the injured Milan Mijatović.

Arsenal stands sixth in the standings, right on the brink of both the European zone and the relegation area. Their recent outing saw them finish in a 0-0 draw with Dečić in Tuzi last Saturday.

– A victory would be immensely important for us. While it may not be decisive for the title race, it would certainly count as one of the more significant results. Therefore, we hold Arsenal in the highest regard and recognize their potential because they comprise skilled individuals, but we have our strategy and will do everything to execute it – Domazetović added.

Another noteworthy matchup, at least from the standings perspective, will take place in Kotor, where the remarkable CFL story of this year, Bokelj SBbet, will face the defending champions Dečić Admiralbet.

The team from Kotor kicked off the spring segment of the season with a win (1:0) against Jedinstvo in Bijelo Polje; another victory here would create an eight-point buffer between them and Tuzan in third place.

The clash between Mornar and Jedinstvo France at the FSCG Camp (undergoing renovations) is also anticipated to be an engaging duel, alongside the ‘back-of-the-table derby’ in the 21st round featuring Otrant-Olimpik against Jezera.

Sutjeska is set to host second-place Petrovac and is looking for a favorable outcome after their defeat in the major Montenegrin derby against Buducnost on Sunday.

– Petrovac is a formidable team, and their results certainly command respect. We are all aware of how crucial this match is. We need to meet our ambitions and objectives effectively. Winning this match would mean more than just three points. Hence, I urge the team to be authentic, courageous, engaged, and aggressive – commented Sutjeska coach Milija Savović.

The upcoming 22nd round is scheduled for Sunday, March 2nd.

Matchups for the 21st round

MORNAR – JEDINSTVO (2 PM)

Referee: Miloš Bešović (Podgorica)

ARSENAL – BUDUCNOST (2 PM)

Referee: Nikola Vođević (Nikšić)

SUTJESKA – PETROVAC (3 PM)

Referee: Dalibor Vujisić (Podgorica)

OTRANT – JEZERA (5 PM)

Referee: Mladen Knežević (Barane)

BOKELJ – DEČIĆ (6 PM)

Referee: Nikola Cvijović (Budva)

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