Cracovia Krakow come into this one with a point to prove. They’re a proud club with a passionate fanbase at the iconic Stadion Cracovii, and they’ll be desperate to start the new Ekstraklasa season with a statement. No recent results are in the brief, so we’re working off the broader picture: Cracovia have historically been a tough nut to crack at home, especially in front of their own supporters. They’re not a side that rolls over, and they’ll see this as a golden chance to lay down a marker against a Pogon Szczecin outfit that, while talented, can be vulnerable away from home.

Pogon Szczecin, meanwhile, are a team in transition. They’ve got quality in their ranks—think of their attacking midfielders and the way they like to play through the thirds—but they’ve often struggled to impose themselves on the road. Recent away games, when we’ve seen them, have been a mixed bag: flashes of brilliance, but also a tendency to go missing in the physical battles. That’s a worry against a Cracovia side that will be buzzing with energy and intent. Momentum? It’s all with the hosts, who’ll be relishing the chance to get their campaign off on the right foot.