Cracovia will face Jagiellonia Białystok this Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 14:45, marking a significant match in the 22nd round of the PKO Ekstraklasa. The stakes are high as Cracovia, known as the "Pasy", seeks to break their seven-match winless streak against the current Polish champions, Jagiellonia Białystok.
The last few outings for Cracovia have been tough. Since the start of this year, they have not won any matches, managing only draws. "Zagraliśmy fatalny mecz i każdy z nas zdaje sobie z tego sprawę. Chociaż zawiedliśmy, to najważniejsze jest teraz, aby wspólnie pomóc drużynie," said Mateusz Dróżdż, the President of Cracovia, reflecting the frustration of fans and management alike. Coach Dawid Kroczek, on the other hand, is optimistic: "Widzimy, jak wygląda tabela. Jagiellonia jest teraz współliderem z Lechem Poznań, mimo że w trakcie sezonu nie zajmowała tak wysokiego miejsca."
Jagiellonia, under the guidance of coach Adrian Siemieniec, is experiencing success on multiple fronts. They recently progressed to the Round of 16 in the Conference League and are still very much in contention for the league title, sitting at the top of the table. This match presents them with the opportunity to capitalize on their form. Their last encounter against Cracovia ended with Jagiellonia losing 4-2, and they will be eager for revenge.
The last time these two teams met saw fireworks, with four goals scored before halftime. It was certainly one for the books, showing just how closely matched these teams can be when they meet on the pitch.
Cracovia recently boosted its squad, with the addition of Bulgarian player Martin Minczew on loan from Caykur Rizespor. Kroczek is hopeful about Minczew's contribution, stating, "Ma spory potencjał i dużo do udowodnienia. Myślę, że Cracovia jest dla niego dobrym punktem, żeby się rozwinąć." This indicates Cracovia's focus on revitalizing the team as they aim for higher placements on the league table.
Kickoff for this highly-anticipated clash will be held at the Stadion Cracovii im. Józefa Piłsudskiego and will be aired live on Canal+ Sport 3. Fans can also watch the match via streaming on Canal+ Online.
The match odds indicate Jagiellonia as slight favorites at about 2.80, with Cracovia's odds around 2.35. The draw has been priced at approximately 3.40, making this fixture quite unpredictable. Both teams have proven capable of scoring multiple goals, and with the stakes so high, fans can expect nothing less than intense and passionate football.
The anticipation is thick as supporters of both clubs gear up for what promises to be another exciting chapter in this storied rivalry. With Cracovia needing to reclaim their form to keep their European aspirations alive and Jagiellonia battling to retain their spot atop the standings, this match is not to be missed.