Eight rounds of league action have been played in Belarus as teams begin to settle into their rhythm. BATE finally claimed top spot for the first time this campaign thanks to Serbian Nemanja Milic’s brace in their 5-3 win over Smolevichi. Slutsk now trail BATE on goal difference at this early stage after suffering a shock 2-1 home defeat to Energetik-BGU, while defending champions Dinamo Brest trail by three points. Let’s get to this week’s matchups and try to make some money.
Friday 15 May
Torpedo Zhodino 7/10
Draw 9/4
Gorodeya 9/2
These opponents both dropped two valuable points each in disappointing draws last time out. Torpedo Zhodino have kept four clean sheets during their five-game unbeaten streak, which includes three goalless draws. Gorodeya also have a decent defensive record, conceding just seven times but need to improve on the five goals scored to move up the table. I’m backing the hosts to edge this encounter at 7/10.
Saturday 16 May
Energetik-BGU 31/10
Draw 26/10
Dinamo Brest 15/20
Newly-promoted Energetik-BGU return to home soil after winning back-to-back away matches. Jasurbek Yaxshiboev scored twice in the last meeting and now is the league’s top scorer with 6 goals. Champions Dinamo Brest will be hoping to seal victory in this clash and make it three wins on the bounce. The last meeting saw Brest hammer the hosts 6-2, take the visitors at 15/20.
Shakhter 7/20
Draw 7/2
Slavia Mozyr 7/1
Shakhter slipped up and dropped two points against Vitebsk in their goalless draw last time out. The hosts are unbeaten in three league games and haven’t conceded during that period of time. While Slavia Mozyr held on for a hard-fought point against Torpedo Zhodino. Take Shakhter to win their fifth straight game against this opponent at 7/20.
BATE 3/10
Draw 17/4
Slutsk 8/1
BATE seem to have hit their straps and come into the clash with three wins on the bounce, while scoring 10 goals. Second-placed Slutsk’s three-game winning streak was ended with a shock defeat last time out. Seven of the visitors’ eight matches this season has seen both teams score, however, take BATE on the (-1) Handicap at 8/10.
Sunday 17 May
Belshina 22/10
Draw 39/20
Vitebsk 27/20
Belshina are in trouble having lost six times in the opening eight games and are rooted to the bottom of the log. The hosts come into the clash with a three-game losing streak. Vitebsk are also winless in three games, but will see this as an opportunity to distance themselves from the strugglers at the bottom half of the table. My money is on Vitebsk to edge this encounter at 27/20.
Dinamo Minsk 23/20
Draw 43/20
Isloch 47/20
Dinamo Minsk need to get back to winning ways and snap their two-game losing streak. The hosts suffered a 2-1 defeat at the home of the champions Dinamo Brest last time out, while Isloch made light work of struggling Belshina. The visitors have been great on home soil, but seem to find difficulty on their travels. These teams are tipped to cancel out each other in a cagey affair.
Rukh 15/20
Draw 23/10
Smolevichi 38/10
After netting just three goals in seven matches, Rukh surprised everyone with a 4-2 win at Neman Grodno and jumped up three spots on the table. Smolevichi are in trouble at 15th, having lost five times in the opening eight games. The visitors come into the clash with three losses on the trot, while conceding 10 times. Rukh is tipped at 15/20.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 12/1
Dinamo Brest Win 15/20
Vitebsk Win 27/20
Dinamo Minsk vs Isloch – Draw 43/20
Written by Bryan Naicker
