With just two rounds remaining in the 30th edition of the Republika Srpska football championship, no fewer than 11 clubs are fearing relegation to the Second League.
What is already known is that Laktaši have secured the title and will compete in the Premier League of BiH next season. Meanwhile, Rudar Prijedor, BSK, Zvijezda 09, and Sloboda (NG) have mathematically secured their top-tier status for the 2025/26 season, which will feature 14 clubs. On the other hand, Sloboda (MG) and Borac (KD) have already been relegated.
Whether five or six clubs are ultimately relegated from the First League depends on Radnik and whether the Bijeljina-based team retains its Premier League status. If Radnik finishes above ninth place, five clubs will be relegated. If they fall below, six will go down. The list of endangered clubs is long: Sutjeska, Slavija, Drina (Z), Famos, Romanija, Leotar, Ljubić, Drina HE, Željezničar Sport Team, Kozara, and Velež (N).
Sutjeska is in the best position—they need only one point from their two remaining matches (home against Leotar or away in Ethno Village Stanišići). However, two losses combined with wins for Ljubić and Drina HE could see them drop due to head-to-head records.
Slavija needs just one win or two draws (against Drina Z in Zvornik and BSK at home), while the same applies to Drina Z, who also play Željezničar in Banja Luka. Famos have a match point today (17:00) against already relegated Borac, and with a win, their final round match against Laktaši becomes a formality. Romanija also need just one win (against Ljubić away or Velež at home).
Leotar, currently 11th with 41 points, would likely secure survival with four points. They face a nearly safe Sutjeska away and relegated Borac at home—four points seems achievable.
Ljubić hosts Romanija and travels to Novi Grad. Only a full six points would guarantee safety, as is the case with Drina HE, who visit champions Laktaši and then host Rudar Prijedor.
Željezničar Sport Team visits Velež and then hosts Drina Z. Two wins would bring them to 44 points, likely enough to stay up.
Kozara and Velež are in the most difficult situations. Kozara visits Prijedor and hosts already relegated Sloboda. Even two wins might not be enough unless Drina HE and Ljubić both drop points. Velež needs to beat Željezničar and win in Pale against Romanija, while also hoping that Višegrad and Prnjavor lose both their games.
With countless permutations and only 14 spots in the league—some of which will go to champions of the Second League West and East—the stakes are higher than ever.
Fixtures – Round 33 (All matches at 17:00):
- Today: Borac (KD) – Famos
- Tomorrow:
- Sutjeska – Leotar
- BSK – Zvijezda 09
- Drina (Z) – Slavija
- Velež – Željezničar (BL)
- Ljubić – Romanija
- Sloboda (MG) – Sloboda (NG)
- Rudar Prijedor – Kozara
- Laktaši – Drina HE
League table after 32 rounds:
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF:GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laktaši | 32 | 24 | 3 | 5 | 83:24 | 75 |
| 2 | Rudar Prijedor | 32 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 48:17 | 66 |
| 3 | BSK | 32 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 64:38 | 65 |
| 4 | Zvijezda 09 | 32 | 17 | 6 | 9 | 45:33 | 57 |
| 5 | Sloboda (NG) (-3) | 32 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 38:35 | 46 |
| 6 | Sutjeska | 32 | 14 | 3 | 15 | 42:54 | 45 |
| 7 | Slavija | 32 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 50:39 | 44 |
| 8 | Drina (Z) | 32 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 36:38 | 44 |
| 9 | Famos | 32 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 38:33 | 43 |
| 10 | Romanija | 32 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 34:29 | 43 |
| 11 | Leotar | 32 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 35:29 | 41 |
| 12 | Ljubić | 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 38:56 | 39 |
| 13 | Drina HE | 32 | 12 | 3 | 17 | 36:54 | 39 |
| 14 | Željezničar ST | 32 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 44:48 | 38 |
| 15 | Kozara | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 32:44 | 36 |
| 16 | Velež (N) | 32 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 33:57 | 36 |
| 17 | Sloboda (MG) | 32 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 40:58 | 31 |
| 18 | Borac (KD) (-3) | 32 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 29:79 | 16 |
Source: Glas Srpske
