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RACE, Slovenia (Interstat) — A pivotal 3. SNL relegation battle looms Sunday as NK Race host Carda Martjanci on May 3, 2026, with both sides desperate for points at the bottom of the Slovenian third division.

NK Race enter the match holding a slight edge in recent form, having won their last outing April 25 against NK Podvinci 3-1. That victory snapped a two-match winless streak for the home side, who drew SD Videm 1-1 on April 11 before falling 5-1 at Fuzinar on April 18. Prior to that, NK Race had posted a dominant 5-1 win at Dobrovce on April 4.

Overall this season, NK Race have shown flashes of offensive production, recording three clean sheets against Rogaska (0-0), Avto Rajh Ljutomer (1-0) and Zavrc (0-0) along with a scoreless draw at Brezice. However, inconsistency has plagued them, particularly in road matches, where they suffered a 3-1 loss to Korotan Prevalje and a 1-0 defeat at NK Hajdina.

Carda Martjanci, meanwhile, arrive after a high-scoring 5-2 win over Avto Rajh Ljutomer on April 25, their second victory in three matches. That result followed a 1-0 loss at NK Podvinci on April 18, bookending a 4-1 win at home over NK Hajdina on April 12. The visitors have been volatile on the road, with wins at Avto Rajh Ljutomer (5-1) and NK Hajdina but defeats at NK Podvinci and Dobrovce (2-1).

The teams met once in the previous head-to-head series, with Carda Martjanci taking a 3-2 win at home on Oct. 19, 2025. That result marked the third time in four meetings between the clubs that the total surpassed 3.5 goals.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, NK Race are projected to win this encounter 2-1.

Sunday’s match carries significant weight for NK Race’s survival hopes. The club’s next scheduled fixture is May 9 at Zavrc, making a home victory critical to maintain momentum heading into the season’s final stretch.

Kickoff is set for Sunday at NK Race’s home ground, with the referee to be announced prior to match day.