Second league players without rest, the matches of the 5th round of the 2. SNL are starting: Coaching duel of brothers in Prekmurje, derby of the round between Tabor and Gorica

The week has passed, and the unpredictable 2. SNL will continue today, despite the international break. Both today and tomorrow, there will be three matches each, and two more will be played on the last day of the week. Gorica remains undefeated after five rounds and sits at the top with ten points, with the closest pursuers being Tabor and Bilje, both with nine points. At the bottom of the table are Rudar, Ilirija, Bistrica (all with two points), and Slovan (with three points), with all four clubs still waiting for their first win of the season.

The match of the round will take place in Sežana, where local team Tabor will host the league leaders Gorica. After losing in the first round, Sežana recorded three consecutive wins, while Gorica also defeated their next three opponents after an initial, somewhat surprising draw against Rudar. Both teams have been prolific in front of goal, with Tabor scoring 12 times in four matches, and the blue and whites from Nova Gorica netting 15 times, so we can hope for an exciting match with plenty of goals.

Aluminij has dropped three points for the second time in a row. The former top-league team lost the last round against the black-and-whites from Bilje, and the team from Kidričevo simply cannot find the back of the net. Aluminij’s coach Jura Arsić must be at least somewhat concerned about the lack of finishing, and the red and whites have yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Today, they will host Krka, who are coming to Kidričevo after a heavy 0:3 defeat at home (on artificial grass) to Dravinja.

The mentioned team from Konjice celebrated a commanding victory in the 4th round, and they will look to confirm that form in this round as they host Tolmin. “Well-deserved, congratulations, and I’m proud of you,” said coach Almir Sulejmanović to his players, as posted on the ND Dravinja Facebook page. He knows, however, that no match in the 2. SNL will be easy.

Drava suffered a heavy defeat against league leaders Gorica in the previous round, and their coach Saša Gajser certainly cannot be pleased with his team’s performance. Saša has collected just four points in four matches as Drava’s coach, and on Sunday, he will face his former club from Beltinci, where he played in the 1996/97 season. But that’s not the only reason why this match holds extra significance. For the first time in Slovenian football history, two brothers will face each other as head coaches. Beltinci’s coach Damjan Gajser has already played against Saša during their playing careers, and now the brothers from Strnišče will meet as head coaches.

5th round of 2. SNL:

Friday, September 6, 2024

Velenje, Mestni Stadion Ob Jezeru
Rudar – Triglav, at 17:00

Sežana, Rajko Štolfa Stadium
Tabor – Gorica, at 17:15

Kidričevo, NK Aluminij Sports Park
Aluminij – Krka, at 17:30

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Dekani, Dekani Sports Park:
Jadran Dekani – Slovan, at 17:00

Slovenske Konjice, ŠRC Dobrava
Dravinja – Tolmin, at 17:00

Ivančna Gorica, Ivančna Gorica Stadium
Brinje – Bistrica, at 17:00

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Ljubljana, Ilirija Stadium
Ilirija – Bilje, at 17:00

Beltinci, Beltinci Sports Park
Beltinci – Drava Ptuj, at 17:00