Podbeskidzie are small, poor team, but season after season they are able to survive in this league. Thanks to fantastic second part of the season they finished on 10th place. In last season they had two problems: the one was keeping clean sheet away from home. In this game this will be not relevant at all. The second problem was scoring goals in front of their own fans. This problem should be solve in this season. Attacking midfielder Patejuk and center forward Robert Demjan returned to the club. They had very successful time in this club, then moved to bigger teams and now they are back to rebuild themselves and help the club. I expect them to be great reinforcements, because they already know the team, the staff, city and fans so there is no need for accommodation to the new enviroment. They are not so old, so there will be still a space to prove something. Podbeskidzie also managed to keep almost all important players. Experienced full back Telichowski is the only big departure, but for his place they bought talented fullback Adam Pazio. Midfielder Latka also left the team, but he was not great player, Lenartowski from Korona Kielce could be even better replacement. Another good thing is fact that manager Leszek Ojrzynski signed new deal. He is good coach who knows how to create good air in the dressing room and how to inspire players to hard work. In Polish league physical approach and ambitious play is usually enough to earn a safe place in the league. Chairman said that their aim is TOP 8, this is an ambitious, but not unrealistic plan. They have the best squad ever and the best manager ever plus experience of two seasons in top division. This combination should work well. In friendlies they were focused on keeping clean sheets and last results showed that they improved in this area.
Pogon on the other hand had successful season. They avoided relegation very easy and finished on the seventh place. However, I think that this success will be the start of the crisis. League top scorer Marcin Robak (22 goals and 7 assists!) and key attacking midfielder Akahoshi (7 goals and 13 assists last season!) were so good in last season that now both are looking for better clubs. Robak and Akahoshi are linked with move to the different leagues. The fans are still hoping that both will stay in the club, but even if that kind of miracle will happen they surely won't be prepared for the start of the season. Robak did not play single minute in seven friendlies while Akahoshi played only 34 minutes, both are out for this game! Regular attacking midfielder Patryk Malecki played only 45 minutes as his recovery from injury is still not ended. He will be available for game against Podbeskidzie, but most likely not for whole 90 minutes. Another big blow is departure of experienced midfielder Bartosz Lawa, former captain of the team. During spring he was dropped to the bench and since that Pogon stopped winning the games. The only important arrival is midfielder Matras from Piast Gliwice. He is good lad, but clearly without such influence as Lawa. Even Pogon players admitted that this teams is clearly weaker than a side from last season. Their last friendly before the season ended with 0:2 defeat to side from lower division. During all friendlies they made many simple mistakes in defense and were very limited in attack.
H2H: This is probably the longest trip for Pogon. In last season game ended with goalless draw and season earlier Podbeskidzie won 2:1.
Injuries and suspensions:
Pogon will be definitely without League top scorer Marcin Robak (22 goals and 7 assists!) and key attacking midfielder Akahoshi (7 goals and 13 assists last season!). Another two regular offensive players Bak and Malecki according to newspapers will start on the bench. They will use forward Lukasz Zwolinski who played only one game on this level. In last season he was loaned to second division where he scored 8 goals in 22 games.
Podbeskidzie are without injury issues.
Verdict:
Podbeskidzie will try to keep clean sheet and opponent's lack of offensive weapons will help them a lot. Even one goal should be enough for hosts to take all 3 points.
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