Preview: a clash at Stadion Mladost with momentum on the road
On December 22, under the watchful eye of referee Novak Simović, Napredak host Radnički Kragujevac in Round 20 of the Super Liga at Stadion Mladost in Kruševac. This one arrives with contrasting narratives: Napredak struggling near the foot of the table in 16th with just 12 points, while Radnički sit more comfortably in 10th with 24 points. The home side’s campaign has been a fight for survival — two wins, six draws and 11 losses reflect a team leaking goals (39 conceded) and grinding out too few decisive moments. Radnički, by contrast, have shown better attacking balance and have picked up encouraging results recently, including a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Čukarički on December 17.
Form, stats and their storylines
Napredak’s recent string tells a bleak story: heavy defeats and scarce victories, their last five outings featuring only one win and multiple losses. At home they’ve conceded heavily, producing just 12 goals at Stadion Mladost while shipping 23 there — numbers that underline defensive frailty. Radnički arrive with more teeth in attack: 23 goals across the season and a significantly higher total of shots (309 vs Napredak’s 211), suggesting they create more opportunities and test keepers more often. Their away profile isn’t flawless, but they have five clean sheets and notable attacking metrics that point to control in dangerous areas.
The head-to-head earlier in the season ended 0-0, but that result looks like an outlier given the trajectory of both teams since. Recent match reports add color: Napredak’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Partizan highlighted a valiant fight but defensive shortcomings, while Radnički’s Wajdi Sahli earned plaudits after a 3-2 victory over Čukarički, illustrating the visitors’ ability to deliver under pressure.
What to expect and how to approach the betting markets
Expect a contest where Radnički Kragujevac are favored to impose rhythm and test Napredak’s porous backline. The bookmakers mirror that sentiment: the away win is the market favorite. Given Napredak’s home concessions and Radnički’s recent attacking output, the game has the ingredients for an away victory or at least goals from both sides. If you’re thinking about timing your play on the totals, be mindful of momentum swings — for a primer on when to act in goal markets check The right time to place bets on goal markets, and if you’re managing emotions during swings, this piece on How to have emotional control when placing bets? is a useful read.
Betting suggestion Based on form, season-long numbers and the bookmaker probabilities, the strongest single-market play is a 1X2 bet on Radnički Kragujevac to win. The visitors have superior attacking metrics, better recent results and Napredak’s defensive record at home raises doubts about their ability to stop them. Stake responsibly and consider a modest allocation of your bankroll to reflect the inherent unpredictability of the league.
