Shkendija vs Struga - First League

Season-defining implications hang over this First League clash at the home ground, where Shkendija host Struga on May 9, 2026 knowing the result could shape the run-in for both clubs. Rush will take over under centre for the Falcons as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, with the team’s quarterback situation taking an unexpected turn heading into the season opener.

Both camps will view the First League meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. The hosts have been imperious, WDLWL in their last five underpinning an elite win rate of 75% that marks them out as genuine contenders. Struga are brimming with belief on the road, their WDLLL run reflecting a season win rate of 62.5%. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Shkendija average 2.5 per game to Struga's 2.38, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. He was sacked by Fiorentina after Che Adams' late goal for Torino left them bottom of the Serie A table with three defeats out of three.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Shkendija may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Struga have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Tuesday's print edition of ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, have claimed that Betis turned down a €50m approach from a wealthy non-Premier League club for Antony.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. The former Liverpool forward has signed a two-year deal after agreeing to terminate his Anfield contract one season early, ending a legendary nine-year spell in England.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 3-3 draw is easy to envisage. Whatever the outcome, the First League fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad - and potentially to the Premier League.