Preview
Ušće currently sit at the bottom of the standings and field the youngest squad in the league. Functioning as a farm team for IMT Novi Beograd, they have struggled to rely on high-quality academy players this season. Their situation was further complicated during the winter transfer window, when several important players departed: Krstović (21/1 captain), Milosavljev (20/7), Konstantinov (19/0), Wypart (14/0), Maksimović (12/0), Sidibé (7/0), Uglješić (6/0) and Martins (5/0). In addition, key defender Mladenović (20/0) is suspended for this fixture.
Despite these setbacks, Ušće opened the second part of the season with a respectable away draw against FAP in Priboj, achieved under very demanding playing conditions.
In contrast, Loznica have steadily stabilized after a turbulent start to the campaign, largely caused by the challenge of integrating as many as fifteen new players. As cohesion gradually improved, Loznica built strong momentum, winning five of their last six matches and currently riding a four-game winning streak, which has propelled them into fourth place.
The club’s upward trajectory has been strongly influenced by the arrival of Russian businessman Sergey Lomakin, who is also the owner of Pafos. His long-term vision is to transform Loznica into a structurally stable and ambitious project capable of competing at a higher level. Expectations have risen accordingly, and the winter transfer window further reinforced the squad with several notable additions: Krstić and Krsmanović (both from FK Javor Ivanjica), Jovović (FK Mačva Šabac), Kremanović (ASD Sondrio Calcio), Zeghoudu (Le Havre AC), Obradović (FK Napredak Kruševac), Lakić (FK Radnik Bijeljina), and Sivi (Galway United FC). The only confirmed absence for this match is captain Stanojević (20/1).
The primary reason Loznica currently sit in fourth place is their inconsistent away record (2-4-5). Nevertheless, given the evident quality and depth of their roster, improvement on the road is expected in the second half of the season and this fixture presents a strong opportunity to secure three valuable points.