GJAKOVA, Kosovo (Interstat) — Vellaznimi will host Ylli on Saturday in a matchup of teams seeking consistency early in the season. Vellaznimi enters with a 1-3 record, while Ylli is 2-2. Vellaznimi will be the home team, and Ylli will be the visiting team.

Ylli will look to Khalil Shabazz, its player to watch. In the team’s most recent game, a 95-79 home win over Peja, Shabazz finished with 32 points, four rebounds, eight assists and one block in 34 minutes. Lis Shoshi added six points and 12 rebounds, and Thomas Davontrey scored 14 points with five rebounds. Ylli has also beaten AEL Limassol 88-82 on the road this season. Its losses came against Bora, 75-64 at home, and at Bashkimi, 96-60. The win over Peja gave Ylli a split of its first four games and provided its strongest offensive output of the young season. Shabazz’s scoring and playmaking will be central to Ylli’s chances.

Vellaznimi counters with Kentrell Pullian, who has been productive throughout the early schedule. In the team’s most recent game, a 94-70 loss at Trepca Mitrovice, Pullian had 18 points, five rebounds and eight assists in 36 minutes. Vance Jackson added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Adrian Ibishi contributed eight points and seven rebounds. Pullian also posted 21 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists in a 99-90 road win at Peja, and he had 26 points, four rebounds and six assists against Sigal Prishtina. He added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists in another recent appearance. Vellaznimi’s other results include a home loss to AEL Limassol, 83-71, and a road loss at Bora, 90-67. The win at Peja remains Vellaznimi’s only victory this season.

Vellaznimi will try to use its home floor to end a three-game slide. Ylli will aim to build on its most recent victory and improve its road form. Both teams have important games ahead after Saturday. Ylli is scheduled to visit Trepca Mitrovice next, while Vellaznimi will travel to Rahoveci. The teams are also scheduled to meet again later in the season. Saturday’s contest is the first meeting between the clubs this season.

After Saturday, Vellaznimi is scheduled to face Rahoveci, Bashkimi, Bora and AEL Limassol in its next several games. Ylli’s upcoming slate includes Trepca Mitrovice, Rahoveci, Bashkimi, Bora and AEL Limassol. Both teams also have later matchups against Peja and other league opponents. The return game between Vellaznimi and Ylli is scheduled for later in the season at Ylli.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Vellaznimi 102, Ylli 97.