As match day 12 of the Belarusian Premier League approaches, all eyes will be on the Stadyen Budaunik as 3rd place Shakhtyor Soligorsk host 2nd place Energetyk-BTU in this highly anticipated clash. Both sides go into this one in similar form, having each won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 outings.
We’ve provided our best betting tips for this one having looked at each sides’ form this season plus the past meeting between these 2 teams. After a very unpredictable start, the Belarusian Premier league looks to have levelled, as the top 4 teams have created some daylight between them and the rest of the pack.
Shakhtyor are clean sheet specialistsShakhtyor’s defensive record this season has been nothing short of spectacular, as they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 6 games and have only conceded 3 all season. They aren’t exactly struggling for goals at the other end of the park either, having recorded 2 home 4-0 wins in May against Isloch Minsk Raion and Belshina Bobruisk. The Belarusian Premier League has been defined by unpredictability this season, but Shakhtor’s defensive consistency sees them as firm candidates to challenge BATE for the title if they can find just a little more goal scoring consistency.
Energetyk-BTU looking to keep up the paceDespite having lost one more game than their hosts this season, Energetyk still sit above their hosts in 2nd place by a single point. However, while Shakhtyor’s position has been defined by their defensive consistency, Energetyk’s season has been more exciting, if a little erratic. They have conceded in all but one of their last 8 meetings, including last week’s 3-3 draw with Vitebsk. Discipline is also a problem for the Minsk side as they’ve had a man sent off in 4 of their last 9. Interestingly though, they haven’t lost with 10 men this season, with 3 wins and 1 draw.
Energetyk are a young club, and only arrived in the top flight last season for the first time since they were relegated in 2005, when they were named Zvezda-BGU Minsk, so we only have the two meetings from last season to look back upon. The away side one by a single goal on both occasions, with winning the first meeting in a thrilling 4-3 encounter and Shakhtyor edging the return leg 2-1 despite going down to 10 men. Shakhtyor have finished in the top 3 every season since 2010 so have the upper hand of experience when it comes to top of the table clashes.
We’ve created our betting tips for this match having looked at the short history between these two sides, twinned with each teams’ record so far this season. Exciting Energetyk will set out to make this an exciting encounter, however Shakhtyor’s level headed defence will look to calm things down.
Having analysed the above information, we’re predicting Shakhtyor’s defensive solidity to prevail over Energetyk’s all-guns-blazing attitude approach. Shakhtyor will win and shut out their opponents.
Another Shakhtyor Shutout SundayIt’s fair to say this season that Energetyk-BGU like being involved in exciting games with hard tackles and late drama, however we can’t see level heads of Shakhtyor allowing that to happen this Sunday, unless it’s them grabbing a late winner themselves in a 1-0 win. Energetyk are without defender Evgeni Yudchits who’s suspended after seeing a straight red last week, so this may leave them a little more open to their tactically steady hosts. Overall, Shakhtyor know this end of table well, and have already shown enough consistency this season to show they plan on staying there, while Energetyk look to be just a few poor results away from capitulation.
Our betting tip for this week’s match is for Shakhtyor to win to nil, which you can place on odds of 2.5 with Bet365. If we were to predict an exact score, we’d go for 2-0 Shakhtyor.
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