Many fans will have been playing Football Manager 2020 over the last few weeks to get their fix, but we’ve gone one step further and used the game’s database to predict which young players will shine when the 2020-21 season finally kicks off.
Isloch will aim to continue their 100 per cent record when they host Slutsk during the third round of fixtures in Belarus’ top flight. The hosts have won both of their home games so far but that may not be a factor as the last six contests between the two sides have seen the away team prevail on each occasion.
Vitebsk will look to build on their opening home win against Gorodeya when they host Vysshaya Liga newcomers Smolevichi on Sunday afternoon. The early indicators point towards a tight clash at the Vitebsky Central Sport Complex, with the home side scoring only once so far which came courtesy of an own goal from Gorodeya forward Dmitri Ignatenko.
The top two in the Vysshaya Liga go head to head as Energetik BGU Minsk host FC Minsk at the RCOP-BGU Stadium. The Minsk teams are two of four sides to maintain a 100 per cent record after two matches, with FC Minsk at the summit due to their superior goal difference.
Torpedo Zhodino did the double over Dinamo Minsk in emphatic fashion last season, prevailing 4-0 at home following a 3-0 away victory. The visitors have also started the current Vysshaya Liga campaign in much better form, kicking off with two wins, whereas their opponents have yet to pick up a point.
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.
Although Bundesliga football has been put on hold during the coronavirus crisis, we’re still tracking the latest Hertha Berlin next manager odds. Jurgen Klinsmann lasted just 10 weeks in charge after succeeding Ante Covic in late November and interim coach Alexander Nouri is not expected to stay on.
With almost all professional football shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, we’re jumping on the eSoccer bandwagon with Ultimate QuaranTeam predictions. League Two outfit Leyton Orient have hit the headlines by organising this FIFA 20 tournament, which has attracted interest from clubs across the globe.
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.