League leaders travel to Borisov
BATE Borisov host league leaders Torpedo Zhodino on Saturday evening in their bid to climb up and into the race for the title, the 2019 runners up find themselves in seventh place having had to arrest the slide of losing their first two outings this campaign. Zhodino knocked Energetik-BGU off their perch in their last match, replacing them at the summit with a 2-0 win and in that gained a lot of momentum, with off season addition Gabriel Ramos the match winner. They finished sixth last term and have already demonstrated in four games to this date, that they are capable of finishing much higher this time around.
Last time out
BATE managed to get the show on the road with a breakthrough performance in thrashing FC Minsk 3-0 in their last outing. They wrapped it up early thanks to first half strikes from Stanislav Dragun and Anton Saroka before Pavel Nekhajchik put the icing on the cake just after the hour mark. The result would have come as a relief for many a Borisov fan who had not made light work of any of their previous encounters this season. Their last two league endeavours have concluded with victories to nil, such that stands them in good stead for the Zhodino test.
Zhodino were able to put a disappointing defeat to Dinamo Minsk behind them with a 2-0 win over then league leaders Energetik-BGU last weekend, thrusting the side into top spot and pushing them three points clear of Saturday’s opponents. Brazilian winger Ramos came up trumps with an assist and then a goal in what was an 11-minute purple patch in the second period. It was an even match in the exception of Ramos’ quality, with Energetik-BGU edging the shot count by 12 to 10.
One to watch
Pavel Nekhajchik will be an important cog for BATE in this match, coming into it from scoring his first goal in his third spell at the club against FC Minsk. The left winger bagged 12 last season on the way to the title with Dinamo Brest and rejoins the hosts who he left for Russian football on two occasions. His record speaks for itself approaching 40 goals from 197 appearances and he has represented Belarus 33 times.
The attacking quality will shine through again in this very competitive matchup.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A first half Pavel Nekhajchik penalty miss for the hosts was the closest either side came in this goalless draw.