Will the Portowcy live up to expectations?

In fourth place, Pogon Szczecin missed out on qualifying for the Conference League this summer, finishing three points behind Jagiellonia. This was partly due to a 2-0 defeat on the fourth-last matchday against today’s hosts from Masovia, who finished the 2024/25 season in twelfth place. Now, however, the cards have been reshuffled. In this article, we will explain why Radomiak Radom’s victory over Pogon Szczecin is not a foregone conclusion.

The visitors from the Oder may be the favorites in this match, which is quickly apparent when looking at the total market values of the two squads, with Pogon Szczecin having more than twice the market value. Nevertheless, new coach Robert Kolendowicz still has to prove that he can mould the individually strong players into a functioning unit. It is therefore risky to predict the outcome of the match between Radomiak Radom and Pogon Szczecin before the first matchday.

For both teams, who impressed in their preparatory games but also achieved weak results in their tests, this is now the first opportunity to assess their current form. We expect the favored visitors to play for victory at the Stadion im. Braci Czachorów, while the home side will also be aiming for their third win in a row against the Portowcy.

Radomiak Radom – Statistics & current form

Radomiak Radom pressed the reset button several times during the summer break: With eight new signings and double-digit departures, the squad was extensively rebuilt without losing any of last season’s key players. Four new defenders were signed in Joao Pedro, Conté, Blasco, and Ponck to counteract the flood of goals conceded. The team conceded 52 goals in the 2024/25 season.

The Zieloni (meaning “the Greens”) are also looking to fresh faces to bolster their attack: with Depú (Gil Vicente), young Alex Niziolek (Borussia Dortmund U19) and, most recently, Maurides (St. Pauli), the team from Masovia is looking to create more goalscoring opportunities without compromising their defensive stability. Coach Joao Henriques remains in office despite a mixed season and can rely on a well-coordinated staff.

Are the automatisms already working at Radomiak Radom?

Pre-season preparations have been mixed. In five friendly matches, there was a 2-1 win against Omonia Nicosia, two draws (including against Pogoń Grodzisk) and defeats against Stal Stalowa Wola and Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona. Although the newly formed defense looked solid at times, the offense remained fragmented, even though the squad appears to have significantly more potential than last season. Bookmakers consider it unlikely that this potential will be realized in time for the season opener against Pogon Szczecin. At Bet365, where new customers can get up to $100 in betting credits with the Bet365 bonus, the odds for Radomiak Radom against Pogon Szczecin are 3.25 for a home win for the Zieloni.

After all, the squad structure also carries risks. Although the club from Masovia has retained Capita and signed Roberto Ouattara on a long-term contract, the squad as a whole consists of players from over a dozen countries. It could take a long time for them to gel. In addition, the team still lacks clear hierarchies and well-rehearsed automatisms. The start of the season will therefore be a yardstick for how quickly the many individual parts can be moulded into a functioning collective.

Predicted line-up for Radomiak Radom:
Majchrowicz – Pedro, Blasco, Kingue, Ouattara – Camará, Jordao, Kaput, Tapsoba – Capita, Lopes

Pogon Szczecin – Statistics & current form

Following the departure of Jens Gustafsson, a new chapter has begun in Szczecin: Robert Kolendowicz, previously assistant coach and a former player at Pogon, is taking over the reins on the sidelines. With his calm, analytical manner and in-depth knowledge of the club, he aims to take the team to the next level. The squad has been strengthened in key areas. Leading the way are Paul Mukairu and Musa Juwara, who are expected to revive the wing play that was often lackluster last season. Mor Ndiaye and José Pozo are also important additions in the center.

The core of the team has remained intact. No key players have been sold. At least not yet. Giannis Koulouris, a fixture in the offense, is rumored to be courted by 1. FC Union Berlin. Currently, however, the consistency in personnel is a major advantage over the competition. Kolendowicz also wants to make the team’s play more versatile: away from rigid wing play and toward more presence in the center and better transitions between the different parts of the team. Internally, the route is clear: a place in the top four is a must, which should be achieved with an away win for Radomiak Radom against Pogon Szczecin.

Pogon Szczecin starts 2025/26 with high expectations

Although the preparations were mixed overall, they also revealed potential: a 0-2 defeat against promoted Arka Gdynia was offset by a convincing 4-0 win against Warta Poznań and further victories against Katowice and city rivals Swit Szczecin. The squad is better positioned across the board than it has been recently. This gives the new coach room for tactical variations and load management. The team from the Oder also benefits from the fact that there are no international games this season. The full focus is on the Ekstraklasa and the cup.

Far more problematic is that expectations are higher than ever. The Portowcy have regularly finished in third to fifth place in recent years – still without a title or cup win, which has long been a sore point on the Oder. The executive committee has also recently issued a statement that there must finally be tangible success, which could well become a burden. It is clear that Kolendowicz must deliver – and immediately…

Predicted line-up for Pogon Szczecin:
Cojocaru – Koutris, Borges, Huja, Wahlqvist – Bieganski, Ndiaye – Mukairu, Pozo, Przyborek – Koulouris

Radomiak Radom – Pogon Szczecin Head-to-head record / H2H record

Head to head: 3 – 2 – 5

Only ten competitive matches have been played between the two clubs, and Pogon Szczecin still leads the head-to-head record with five wins, although Radomiak Radom won twice in the last season. In their last away game at the Stadion im. Braci Czachorów, the Portowcy suffered a 0-2 defeat on May 10, 2025, which ultimately cost the club qualification for European competition.

Radomiak Radom – Pogon Szczecin Tip

All in all, after the summer break, there is simply not enough reliable data to predict the winner of this match between Radomiak Radom and Pogon Szczecin. On paper, the visitors are of course the favorites. However, the Portowcy didn’t pick up a single point against the Zieloni last season, which is why double chances are not really an option. In addition, there has been a change of coach at the club from the Oder. This makes it all the more unclear whether the team will be able to implement the new ideas on the first matchday and live up to the high expectations.

The visitors from the Oder are expected to be looking for an away win in Masovia to make a statement on the first matchday. As a result, we expect both teams to play openly. The signs therefore point to a high-scoring opening match.