License Ambiguities and Their Consequences at the End
Otranto finds itself in a difficult position heading into the final rounds, Photo: FSCG
With just two rounds remaining, the Meridianbet First Montenegrin Football League is approaching its conclusion. The matches of the penultimate round are set to take place today.
What remains uncertain?
The champion is already determined – Budućnost has secured the title, while Petrovac will represent the league in Europe. However, the fates of Sutjeska in third place and Dečić in fourth depend more on their eligibility for international competition than their performance on the pitch, as Podgorica and Petrovac are still awaiting necessary approvals.
Thus, the primary uncertainties lie at the bottom of the table – who will be relegated directly and who will enter the play-off for survival?
These questions could be answered in the next round. Should Otranto fail to defeat Arsenal at home, or if Jezero manages to secure at least a point against Sutjeska in Berane, the Ulcinj team may drop to the Second League after just one season in the top tier.
If Otranto comes out victorious and Jezero loses, the outcome will be postponed until the final round, where Plav could also gain a critical point for a playoff position.
The other team that could secure a spot in the survival play-offs will be identified over the next two rounds. Mornar currently sits in eighth place and, following a string of poor performances, fights to stay afloat.
Barani hosts Bokelj, hoping a win can bring them closer to Arsenal, who are three points ahead, or Jedinstvo, who are four points ahead.
Unity will face Future, and a victory will guarantee their survival.
Budućnost, having ended a remarkable streak of 20 matches unbeaten with a recent loss to Jezero, aims to bounce back as they head to Bijelo Polje in search of a return to form.
– We are mathematically champions, and I’m thrilled about my first title. However, various motivations always drive us to improve. We will play on a field that suits our style, although against a seasoned and in-form team, we aspire for a victory – commented Budućnost’s young striker Andrej Kostić.
Sutjeska can clinch third place with a win over Jezero in Berane, while Dečić will welcome Petrovac to Tuzi in a match lacking significant competitive implications.
Match fixtures for the 35th round:
DEČIĆ – PETROVAC (17:30)
Referee: Mladen Knežević (Berane)
UNITY – FUTURE (17:30)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Podgorica)
LAKE – SUTJESKA (17:30)
Referee: Miloš Savović (Podgorica)
OTRANT – ARSENAL (17:30)
Referee: Miloš Bešović (Podgorica)
MORNAR – BOKELJ (17:30)
Referee: Nikola Cvijović (Budva)
League Standings:
1. THE FUTURE 34 25 6 3 87:28 81
2. PETROVAC 34 17 8 9 49:34 59
3. SUTJESKA 34 14 8 12 37:33 50
4. DEČIĆ 34 10 16 8 33:30 46
5. BOKELJ 34 13 5 16 29:41 44
6. UNITY 34 11 9 14 41:52 42
7. ARSENAL 34 10 11 13 31:43 41
8. SAILOR 34 10 8 16 34:52 38
9. LAKE 34 8 11 15 33:44 35
10. OTRANT 34 7 8 19 34:51 29
Final round pairings (Saturday, May 24): Petrovac – Mornar, Bokelj SBBet – Otrant-Olympic, Arsenal – Jezero, Sutjeska – Jedinstvo Franca, Budućnost – Dečić Admiralbet.
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