October 24, 25 & 26, 2020
Potentially another pivotal week in the Belarus Premier League as the three title contenders look to arrest their poor runs, and they might even be nervously looking over their shoulders at Dinamo Brest unexpectedly getting back into the picture if they can win their games in hand. Speaking of which, they host Slutsk on Thursday, and if the result goes to form they will be just 6 points behind BATE with a game in hand.
There is also a catch-up game between FK Minsk and Slavia on Wednesday ( 13.00 UK time ).
At the bottom, there is a huge match for Gorodeya, and Belshina face a tough test at Dinamo Minsk if they have recovered in time from their Covid attack.
FK Gorodeya vs FK Smolevichy STI ( Saturday at 12.30 UK time )
After their surprise win last week in Grodno, Gorodeya can take another big stride to at least avoiding automatic relegation by beating Smolevichy, who have now lost 10 consecutive league matches. 2-0
Result : 4-0. Gorodeya took another big step towards safety with an emphatic win over hapless Smolevichy, although the scoreline wasn't a fair reflection of the game as the Smoles did play some nice football but totally lacked any cutting edge in the final third. The new look Gorodeya starting line up featured six players with 3 or less appearances for the side, and one of them, big Russian lump Jamal Dibirgadzhiev scored the first two goals, bundling the ball over the over from inches and then a looping header over the keeper. Two late goals put some gloss on the scoreline, from Frenchman Djouhary and substitute Shibun. Smolevichy are now officially relegated.
BATE Borisov vs FK Vitebsk ( Saturday at 14.30 UK time )
Another potential banana skin for BATE against a side who are typically well organised and hard to break down, and came back from 0-2 in the last 10 minutes to draw when the sides met earlier in the season. That said, Vitebsk have the second worst away record in the league having taken only 8 points from 12 games. 2-1
Result : 3-1. BATE outplayed Vitebsk for large parts of this match with top scorer Maksim Skavysh the star man with the first two goals. He opened the scoring just before half-time with a delicate chip over the on-rushing keeper, and followed that with his 17th goal of the season in the 64th minute, a fierce left-footed shot from a tight angle. Vitebsk briefly threatened to get back into the game when Chalov shot home from the edge of the area, but BATE continuted to dominate, and secured the points when Milic shot into the roof of the net from the right side of the penalty box.
Dinamo Minsk vs Belshina Bobruisk ( Saturday at 16.30 UK time )
Assuming Belshina have recovered from the Covid outbreak and are able to play, whilst this isn’t quite a must win match for them it is possibly a must not lose game. Prior to their enforced rest they had taken 7 points from their last 3 away games. Against that, Dinamo have won their last three matches and still have a reasonable chance of 4th place and possible European football. Their anti-football approach has unsurprisingly resulted in the second best defensive record in the division. 1-0
Result : 3-1. Dinamo Minsk in entertaining game shock ! Dinamo continued to press for a 4th place finish and dealt a blow to Belshina's survival hopes. Belshina took the lead when Sasonovich smashed home after a scramble, but Shitov's glancing header left the match tied at half-time. Dinamo dominated the second half and Belshina keeper Kharitonovich made a number of good saves. Belshina looked fangerous on the break though. The game turned with 20 minutes to go when Klimovich's shot appeared to be heading wide until a deflection of the unsuspecting Odeoyobo took it into the corner. 5 minutes later a shot from Khvashchinskiy was going straight to Kharitonovich but again it hit Odeoyobo and deflected into the corner with the keeper stranded.
Neman Grodno vs FK Slavia Mozyr ( Sunday at 10.00 UK time )
After their slip-up last week at home to Gorodeya, Neman can’t afford any mistakes against a Slavia side who should just about be safe from the relegation play-offs. A shot-shy attack versus a leaky defence. 1-0
Result : 1-2. For the second week running Neman slipped up at home against one of the sides in the bottom 5. The match started badly for Neman when shortly after Zhukovski had missed a golden chance to give them the lead, Legchilin saw red after bringing down Tlupov as he ran clear. The referee also awarded a penalty, although the foul looked to have occured outside of the area. Gleb Shevchenko, now minus his dreadlocks, sloted home the spot-kick . It got worse for the home side 10 minutes later when Narh's shot hit the post but bounced out to hit the prone Dudar on the head and rebounded into the net. Neman had most of the possession in the second half but rarely threatened. Zhukovski did pull a goal back, but Slavia comfortably held on for the win that should secure the place in the Premier League for next season.
Eneregetik BGU Minsk vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk ( Sunday at 12.00 UK time )
With 3 defeats in their last 4 matches Shakhtyor’s change of manager appears to scuppered their title chances. This is a must win for them, and Energetik are possibly as good as any opponents to face, having just one win in their last 9 matches. 0-1
Result : 1-2. Shakhtyor's title challenge stumbles on in unconvincing fashion. After taking a 2 goal first half lead thanks to a weak shot from Kendysh with the Energetik keeper going down in installments, and Podstrelov from close range after other attempts had been blocked, Shakhtyor looked nervy after giving away a penalty mid-way through the second half. Yudchits converting. Although they were the better side for much of the match it wouldn't have been a surprise if Energetik had snatched a draw.
Rukh Brest vs Isloch Minsk ( Sunday at 14.00 UK time )
Likely to be the most open and entertaining match of the weekend. After their 6 consecutive wins Isloch have registered two draws. With the sides around them also on good runs they need a win to maintain their hopes of 4th place However, Rukh will be tough to beat and are capable of playing some sensational football. 2-2
Result : 1-1. As expected these two sides produced a hugely enjoyable game to watch. Rukh started at a fast pace, but the best early chances fell to Isloch, with Rukh keeper Stepanov making two fine saves to deny Makas. Rukh took the lead in the 30th minute when Vasiljev's free-kick went through the gap left at the end of the wall by two Rukh players. Khatkevich was already moving to one side and his flaying hand was not strong enough to keep the ball out. The match turned in the 56th minute when Nikiforenko picked up two yellow cards in a minute, the second a totally pointless challenge, and Isloch took command. Stepanov again twice thwarted Makas, but on the second occasion Yusov was on hand to prod home the equalizer with 8 minutes left on the clock. In a breathless finale both sides went all out for the winner, as play went quickly from end to end. Makas was put through but as he was about to shoot the ball was nicked away from him, and at the death Khatkevich redeemed himself with an excellent finger tip over the bar from a shot from 12 yards. Overall a fair result.
FK Minsk vs Dinamo Brest ( Monday at 12.00 UK time )
4 consecutive wins has re-ignited Dinamo’s hopes of taking a European place, and with games in hand there a still some scenarios where they could retain their title. Minsk are now safe and were lacklustre last time out against Slutsk. 1-3
Result : 1-2 Dinamo continued their surge up the table and their title challenge with a hard fought victory over a determined Minsk side. Big Denis Laptev opened the scoring in the 6th minute, sliding in to finish a flowing move. He was soon on the scoresheet again, getting ahead of Vasiliev to send the ball into the roof of the net. Unfortunately for him it was his own net ! Laptev made amends in the 57th minutes to score what would turn out to be the winning goal, running through after Krivets' dummy to shoot home left footed from just inside the area for a hat-trick of sorts !
Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino vs FK Slutsk ( Monday at 14.00 UK time )
Two sides with plenty to play for. Being the last of the European contenders to play this week, Torpedo will know what is needed, and whilst Slutsk achieved only their second win in 17, Torpedo should be too strong. 2-0
Result : 4-1 Ultimately a comfortable three points for Torpedo although Slutsk took an early lead and looked the better side for the first 30 minutes. Gafar finished from inside the 6 yard box after Veljko's inviting cross from the left.Three goals in the 10 minutes before half-time turned the match decisively in Torpedo's favour, with Ukrainian Yuri Gabovda grabbing two, a powerful header and a left footed finish after some trickery from Veloso, and Khachaturyan's delightful free-kick over the wall sandwiched in-between them. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Slutsk and it became a question of if/when Torpedo would add a fourth. Ramos hit the bar with a cute chip when 1:1 with the keeper, but the goal eventually arrived after Bordachev went on a marauding run down the left and crossed for Nikolaevich to side foot home.
Summary :