Smolevichi to test underperforming Soligorsk
Newly promoted Smolevichi host last season’s third place in the Belarusian Premier League as they welcome Shakhtyor Soligorsk who have endured a slow start to the campaign to this date. The visitors went down 2-0 in the first leg of their Belarusian Cup semifinal on Wednesday evening, to league champions Dinamo Brest, whether that will be a factor in Sunday’s match remains to be seen with Smolevichi still acclimatising to the level. Soligorsk are strong favourites to get the win, however the underdogs have shown already that they will compete until the final whistle.
Last time out
Smolevichi were narrow favourites for their last outing, a home game against Vitebsk where they fell to a 1-0 loss, due to defender Evgeni Klopotskiy’s first half finish. It was a frustrating afternoon with them conceding from the only shot on goal they faced, winning the shot count 7-2. At the end that counts for nothing and they find themselves in 15th place, two points from safety having only picked up one point from their opening three encounters.
Shakhtyor alike to Smolevichi have only scored in one match this season, a 2-0 home win over Gorodeya in gameweek two. Flattering to deceive quite a lot judging by their third-place finish in 2019, they sit in eighth having taken four points thus far. Dinamo Brest were back to their usual selves in Soligorsk’s midweek venture with Yuriy Vernydub’s men struggling to get a foothold in the tie conceding twice in the opening quarter of an hour.
Ones to watch
In his tenth season with the club Sergey Balanovic is a key man for Sunday’s visitors, it is his second spell and he has managed 33 goals and 41 assists from some 265 appearances, his experience could be key in this matchup. He has assisted once this campaign and so is due a contribution on Sunday.
Second in the scoring charts as Smolevichi finished runners up to Belshina Bobruisk in last season’s second tier was Evgeni Barsukov. The 29-year-old achieved a career high of 15 goals last term and continues to lead their attacking contingent amidst a host of off-season departures.
All of Smolevichi’s outings have been tight and in that using the Asian Handicap is a good bet in this one, especially with Soligorsk looking slightly out of sorts.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
This close contest played out as expected, a win on the Asian spreads with a goalless draw.