Neman look to get season on track on Friday night
Two of the Belarusian Premier League’s inconsistent sides so far in the 2020 season go head-to-head in Grodno, with now sixth placed outfit Energetik-BGU facing off with Neman Grodno in 14th. Neither side have won in their last two games, with the Minsk based visitors slipping away from the top of the table after winning their opening three. Grodno’s only win of the league campaign came at home to Vitebsk in gameweek two and they are unbeaten at home, it is set up as a very even contest with Neman coming in as slight favourites.
Last time out
In the 2019 season only two places separated these teams, with Energetik-BGU in 12th and Neman Grodno finishing 10th. Both sides lost to nil at the weekend and here is a brief breakdown of what occurred.
It was an abject display from Neman, they were defeated 2-0 away to Dinamo Minsk who leapfrogged them in the table to 12th, and in the 90 minutes Grodno failed to achieve a shot on target. It was an awful first period with no shots on, but then Minsk asserted their dominance finally breaking the deadlock in the 72nd minute followed by Yevgeniy Shikavka sealing the win in additional time. Neman Grodno have drawn once and lost twice on the road, therefore will be looking forward to getting back to Neman Stadium where they have got four of their five points thus far.
Energetik-BGU fell to a second consecutive loss at home to inform Gorodeya, they remain only a point off of Slutsk in first place and so the opportunity to get a win over a side in the relegation spots comes at a good time. Energetik won the shot count by 14 to four however could not recover from conceding Andrei Sorokin’s 35th minute opener.
One to watch
21-year-old Liberian midfielder David Tweh has assisted a third of Energetik’s goals this season and plays a key role in the centre of the park. He has been capped three times for his country and has notched seven goals and 11 assists in his time in Minsk. In a league surrounded by players long past their physical peak, Tweh is a big asset for the sixth placed visitors looking to return to competing at the right end of the table.
Grodno’s home record stands them in good stead for this encounter however the visitors’ early form in the campaign cannot be ignored, it is a tough one to call.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Neman Grodno's season exploded into life in the final 25 minutes, ending up with a statement 3-0 win. Energetik-BGU's third straight defeat to nil.