Belshina and Gorodeya have both made a slow start to the new Vysshaya Liga campaign in Belarus and a tight tussle looks on the cards in Bobruisk. Neither side has picked up a point from the first two rounds of fixtures, with just one goal scored between them in four fixtures so far.
Shakhtyor and Neman go into the contest at Stroitel Stadium on the back of one win and one defeat to start their Vysshaya Liga campaigns. At least one team has failed to score in 12 of Shakhtyor’s last 18 home league matches, while the same can be said in 11 of Neman’s last 13 league matches.
Dinamo Brest have made a solid start to the defence of their Vysshaya Liga title and are worthy favourites to see off Slavia Mozyr at Stadyen DASK Brestski. However, the visitors are coming off a fine win over BATE Borisov, so can be expected to play their part in an entertaining encounter.
Perennial powerhouses BATE Borisov are facing an early-season crisis ahead of entertaining Vysshaya Liga newcomers Ruh Brest on Saturday. After failing to land a 15th straight title triumph when slipping to second last season, BATE have started this term with two straight defeats.
Dinamo Brest have had to endure a number of changes since claiming a first Vysshaya Liga title in Belarus last season but are still fancied to prevail at Slutsk. The hosts started the new campaign with a nice win but have been a mid-table outfit for the past four years, since securing promotion to the top flight.
BATE Borisov were denied a 14th straight Vysshaya Liga title in Belarus by Dinamo Brest last season and will be determined to get back on top this term. They kicked off the new campaign with a surprise loss at Energetyk and we fear Slavia Mozyr may now feel the backlash in the second round of fixtures.
Sydney FC are 10 points clear at the top of the table, but both of this season’s defeats came against their neighbours, for whom Wanderers captain Mitch Duke scored the only goal on each occasion. However, the leaders were the better side when they met at the end of February and created most of the chances.
Title-chasing Basaksehir will find themselves top of the table for the first time this season if they better Trabzonspor’s result this weekend and their form suggests they will fulfil their part of the bargain. The Owls have won eight of their last 12 matches and their home record is excellent (W9 D3 L1).
Besiktas remain in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season despite results picking up under new head coach Sergen Yalcin. The Black Eagles are five points behind fourth-placed Sivasspor ahead of their clash with Antalyaspor, who have pulled away from the relegation zone to mid-table security.
Super Lig table toppers Trabzonspor face a tough test when visiting eighth-placed Goztepe on Sunday and we’re expecting a close encounter. The hosts have lost only one of their last seven home matches, avoiding defeat against the likes of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
Galatasaray will be determined to return to winning ways at Rizespor, in order to put some pressure on Trabzonspor and Basaksehir at the top of the Super Lig table. Their hosts are facing a relegation battle, so this does look a good opportunity to get back on track following a couple of frustrating draws.
Fenerbahce are hot favourites to see off Kayserispor in Friday evening’s Super Lig clash but there are reasons to believe the visitors can be competitive. Robert Prosinecki has inspired an upturn in fortunes since taking over the basement dwellers, who have also won three straight encounters with their hosts.
Notts County are on a roll in the National League, but Torquay is never an easy place to visit and a close encounter could be on the cards. The Gulls won their last couple of fixtures at Plainmoor and have kept three straight clean sheets at this venue, so will not go down without a fight.
Sivasspor are pushing for a place in Europe next season and may have the momentum to claim an away win at Antalyaspor this evening. The hosts have eased fears of being involved in a relegation battle during a seven-match unbeaten run in Turkey’s Super Lig but have had a kind schedule.