Great escape momentum to continue for Vitebsk?
Last season relegation strugglers Vitebsk who survived the drop by one-point travel to mid table outfit Neman Grodno in gameweek 2 of the Belarusian Premier League. The two were on different sides of 1-0 scorelines on the opening day, Vitebsk able to harness some momentum from last term’s escape and take maximum points. In the embryonic league table, the visitors are joint fourth and will look to continue their good start, getting ahead of the game to avoid precariously looking over their shoulders as the campaign progresses.
Opening day
Neman Grodno were unable to spring any surprises, away to last season’s fifth place finishers Isloch Minsk. They held on admirably with 10 men after Zoran Marusic received a second yellow card on 43 minutes, but their efforts came to nothing in devastating fashion in the 88th minute when 22-year-old Guinean striker Momo Sansane grabbed the winner with Neman ending the first round of fixtures in 12th place.
Vitebsk supporters will be filled with optimism following their resolute win at home to Gorodeya who ended last season six places and 13 points their superiors. The only goal of the game came in the form of a Dmitri Ignatenko own goal in the first period which came to a close shortly after Maksym Kalenchuk was sent off for a second yellow card offence, but they pulled through and will fancy their chances against Neman.
Ones to watch
Carrying on the theme in the division of key players being the more experienced ones we come to Grodno’s Valeri Zhukovski. The 35-year-old playmaker is traditionally a central attacking midfielder however he has filled in across all non-defensive roles on a football pitch in his career. Neman’s strongest facet last season was defence, they had the best record in the bottom half of the league. This gave Zhukovski’s creativity heightened importance, he scored four and assisted three, the most prolific in the team. Now in his fourth season with the club having joined from Dinamo Minsk, Zhukovski is the man Igor Kovalevich will look to push the team on and climb up the table.
Vitebsk’s best performer in front of goal in the 2019 season was Anton Matveenko. Another over 30 years old versatile midfielder, Matveenko is best suited to playing off either flank. He added four goals and two assists last term and is entering his fifth domestic campaign with Vitebsk. Approaching a century of appearances Matveenko has 22 goals and 13 assists for the club.
Expect a tight affair with both teams looking to get a foothold in the season and get some points on the board. The fear of defeat may see this one fizzle out somewhat.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A reality check for Vitebsk, Neman were comfortable 2-0 victors.