9th round SYNOT liga: Can Sparta stay ahead of their rivals?
Sparta still lead the SYNOT liga despite their loss in the last round to Slavia in the derby. Plzeň, Liberec, and Slavia are still hot on their heels. At the bottom of the table, Ostrava will be looking for their first win of the season as they take on Olomouc.
FC Baník Ostrava – SK Sigma Olomouc (Friday, 20.15)
Baník continue their beyond depressing season, having lost their last five matches in a row. Friday sees them take on newcomers to the league, Olomouc. Olomouc have problems up front, reflected in the fact that they are averaging only one goal a game so far this season. Can Ostrava pick themselves up by their bootstraps and notch up their first victory of the season?
SK Slavia Praha – FK Dukla Praha (Saturday, 14.30)
Saturday sees the small Prague derby as Slavia take on Dukla. Slavia are a team in form and emerged 1:0 victors in the last round as they beat Sparta in the derby. Dukla should be the dark horse of the competition, but is has been a bit of a rocky season so far. Dukla are primarily a defensive team, but have only taken two ponts away from home. Slavia have yet to lose at home, and go into the match as favourites.
FC Zbrojovka Brno - FK Teplice (Saturday, 15.00)
On paper, Brno stand a chance against Teplice on Saturday, having won three out of their last four home matches while their rivals have failed to win away from home so far this season. Brno lie two points ahead of Teplice in the table, and it will be interesting to see how Brno striker, Jakub Řezníček, performs having stuggled to find the net early in the season, but netted four goals in the last round.
FK Mladá Boleslav - 1.FK Příbram (Saturday, 15.00)
Mladá Boleslav are a team in form right now, having taken ten points in their last four matches, and have scored the most goals of any team so far this season. Příbram, on the other hand, have had an up and down season, winning their last round match, but losing the two before without scoring a goal.
FC Fastav Zlín - FK Jablonec (Saturday, 18.15)
Saturday also sees Zlín take on table neighbours, Jablonec. Zlín have been the surprise of the competition so far, playing some attractive football, but lost their last two matches. Jablonec have struggled somewhat and are certainly not living up to the expectations of their fans.
FC Slovan Liberec – Bohemians Praha 1905 (Sunday, 18.00)
Slovan have turned round their fortunes this season, with the exception of their defeat at the hands of Plzeň in the last round. Liberec have taken seven points in their last three home matches and are surely favourites going into the match with an out-of-form Kangaroos. Bohemians have had a miserable season so far and are second from bottom in the table. To improve their attack, they have engaged the services of Sparta striker, Schick, but so far he has only found the back of the net once. Bohemians will face an uphill stuggle to secure points against a strong Liberec side.
FC Vysočina Jihlava - FC Viktoria Plzeň (Sunday, 18.00)
Jihlava welcome Plzeň on Sunday, in what looks on paper an unevenly-balanced match. After a poor start to the season, Viktoria have turned things around and lie one point behind the leaders, Sparta. Jihlava are currently one point above the relegation zone and struggling to find their stride. A win against Plzeň would be tantamount to Chritmas and their birthday coming early.
AC Sparta Praha - 1. FC Slovácko (Sunday, 18.00)
The round finishes at Letna, where Sparta welcome Slovácko. In the last few rounds, Sparta have given away a five point lead, and are currently one point clear of rivals, Plzeň. To add insult to injury, they lost the derby against Slavia last weekend. Slovácko are currently sixth in the league, but are keenly aware that their record against Sparta is not good, having lost all twelve matches against their rivals since returning to top flight competition.
FOTO: ČTK
