Almost all of Europe has suspended soccer games amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Belarus is just getting started.
The Belarusian Premier League kicked off its new season last Thursday and will continue this weekend despite coronavirus fears.
This is the only top-flight professional football league in Europe not to have been suspended.
Friday 27 March
Torpedo Zhodino 11/20
Draw 29/10
Belshina 17/4
(17:00)
Torpedo Zhodino begun their season on a winning note with a 1-0 victory away at Shakhter, while Belshina’s first taste of top flight football began in disappointment as they slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against Minsk. It may take Belshina some time to gel and adjust to the Belarusian Premier League, so it could be a rough couple of weeks for them. Back Torpedo Zhodino to make it two wins on the bounce.
Rukh 31/20
Draw 49/20
Energetik-BGU 15/10
(19:00)
Both Rukh and Energetik-BGU started the season on a winning note, despite going into their match as underdogs. Against the odds, promoted side Rukh claimed a superb 1-0 victory away to last season’s fourth-place finishers Dinamo Minsk, while Energetik-BGU annihilated last year’s runners-up BATE Borisov 3-1. These sides will try to outwit and outscore each other and it should be an entertaining affair. Both Teams to Score at 6/10 looks the best and safest bet.
Saturday 28 March
Slutsk 15/2
Draw 39/10
Dinamo Brest 3/10
(12:00)
Slutsk got their season off to a winning start as they beat Slavia Mozyr 3-1 last time out, while league champions Dinamo Brest didn’t get the start they would have hoped for, drawing 1-1 at home to newly-promoted Smolevichi. But despite what happened in the opening round, it is Dinamo Brest who come into this match as the clear favourites to seal all three points. Dinamo Brest have won all three of their previous meetings against Slutsk and are tipped to do so again.
Slavia Mozyr 6/1
Draw 34/10
BATE 4/10
(14:00)
Former Champions League participant BATE Borisov will be wanting to get their first points on the board after a 3-1 defeat at Energetik-BGU last time out. They’ll fancy their chances of beating Slavia Mozyr, who also come off a 3-1 defeat to Slutsk, as they’ve won each of their last four meetings against them, scoring 14 goals and conceding just once. The away win is tipped confidently.
Minsk 3/1
Draw 24/10
Dinamo Minsk 17/20
(16:00)
Minsk travelled to the newly-promoted Belshina last time out. After conceding very early, the hosts replied with three second-half goals to comfortably win the match. Dinamo Minsk, on the other hand, suffered a 1-0 defeat to newcomers Rukh. Minsk come off a good win, but have failed to beat the visitors in 19 previous meetings. Both Teams to Score (Yes) offers value at 9/10.
Gorodeya 38/10
Draw 26/10
Shakhter 13/20
(18:00)
Gorodeya suffered a 1-0 loss against Vitebsk and will be pinning their hopes on twin brothers Artem and Sergey Arkhipov to bang in the goals up front that could potentially achieve an upturn in form. Shakhter will be desperate to get the victory too. The visitors were left empty handed after conceding in the 90th minute of their last encounter against Torpedo Zhodino. The last four meetings between these sides have seen Under 2.5 Goals scored, this trend is expected to continue at 8/10.
Sunday 29 March
Smolevichi 2/1
Draw 21/10
Isloch 13/10
(13:00)
New kids on the block Smolevichi won promotion after finishing second in the 1. Division last season and kicked off this campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Dinamo Brest. Isloch claimed maximum points last time out thanks to an 88th-minute winner by Guinean forward Momo Yansane. The striker finished off last season strongly, scoring three times in four league games. With Yansane picking up where he left off, back the away win.
Neman Grodno 29/20
Draw 2/1
Vitebsk 19/10
(17:00)
Neman Grodno’s Serbian defender Zoran Marusic was given a red card last weekend that caused his team to play the second half with 10-men and suffer a 1-0 loss. Vitebsk’s Ukrainian midfielder Maksym Kalenchuk also saw red in his last match, however, the visitors hung onto their 1-0 lead and were victorious. These teams faced each other twice last season with only one goal scored between them. Backing Under 2.5 Goals at 11/20 will be the smart bet.
TREBLE @ 47/10
BATE Win 4/10
Gorodeya vs Shakhter Under 2.5 Goals 8/10
Isloch Win 13/10
Written by Chad N & Bryan Naicker