SSL: Crvena Zvezda v Partizan preview

Partizan is away to Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday (6pm CET kick-off) for a 164^th league edition of Eternal Belgrade derby, as part of Linglong Tire Serbian Super Liga round 30 fixtures.

H2H (last six)

Partizan 1, Crvena Zvezda 1, Drawn 4. Gd: 6-5, Partizan.

TEAM NEWS

There are no new injury or suspension concerns ahead of the derby.

Partizan boss Aleksandar Stanojevic on upcoming game:

-This derby will decide if we are still in a title race. Derby win means nothing if you don`t win the title. Partizan always has high aims and this game is opportunity for us to spice things up in the title race. If we lose, we are definitely with no chance of winning the title honours.

I wouldn`t compare my fine record against bitter rivals, this is new era. If we do look at the recent derby stats, there`s been more draws than anything.

No fans on the stands cancel home advantage too.

Crvena Zvezda scores a lot and has many shots on target overall. I can single out Ivanic and Katai as biggest threats, they work well with Rodic down the left flank as well.

We have our style of play and we want to impose it. However, it all depends on opponent`s set-up. Of course, this is going to be a game like no other in Serbian championship.

Our recent record against Crvena Zvezda bodes well. One defeat in last six is a positive thing. With all due respect, our bitter rivals cannot be dominant against us, ever. They need to win 7 or 8 derbies in a short span of time to feel dominant. But, it`s incredible they lost only four league games over the past four seasons but they need to respect us for having a good derby record. Each derby game is there for you to prove, what was three months ago means nothing to me. I just believe our derby stats will motivate us to continue with our fine form.

We are on a good streak and everyone is ready for this game. Let`s go there to compete and enjoy, proud of everything we`ve done so far. I`m not sure of our starting line-up yet and I know our rival are scanning us with great attention to every detail. To be honest, we`ll know more about starters later in the evening.

As Partizan kids, we have a completely different emotion, all of us who graduated from Partizan youths or played for the club before. We need to have that emotion for our fans. I don`t need to say anything special to players, motivating them for this game is the easiest part.

Team captain Vladimir Stojkovic ahead of the derby game:

-As the boss said, if we lose we have nothing to hope for. This is going to be really serious and competitive encounter for us, let`s see where we stand now.

I conceded only one goal in the last six derbies. Stats are good but they don`t mean much now. I`ll actually try to ignore it, playing it as if it was the first derby for me. I would love us to win for the club, teammates and fans, so that we can still be part of the title race.