Energetik-BGU vs FC Minsk Predictions

• Energetik-BGU saw 118 goals scored in their 30 league matches last season, an average of 3.93 goals per game.
• Minsk have seen nine goals scored in their two Belarus Premier League matches so far this season.
• Energetik have won four of their last five home league games, averaging 3.0 goals per game and conceding 1.6 per game.

Attack-minded Energetik make strong start

Energetik-BGU managed to narrowly avoid relegation in their first season back in the Belarusian Premier League last term but, while they often struggled for results, they endeared themselves to the neutrals with their gung-ho mentality.

Energetik were never shy in going forward last term, scoring more goals (52) than any other team outside the Premier League top three. Unsurprisingly, this attacking mentality contributed towards them conceding an enormous amount, with their 66 goals conceded giving them the worst defensive record in the league.

It was towards the end of last season that Energetik turned a corner, winning five of their last eight league outings and losing just once to secure safety for themselves. They have continued in that vein of form this term too, hammering dethroned champions BATE 3-1 t home before beating the newly promoted Rukh Brest last weekend.

Minsk abandon defensive philosophy

FC Minsk will be a tough test for their fellow Minsk-based hosts though. The visitors have also won their opening two games, departing from the defensive outlook they played with last season to net an impressive six goals in their opening two matches. This puts them top of the table at this early stage, and the newfound goalscoring form will have come as a nice surprise for the fans.

Of course, this has come with some defensive tradeoffs. They almost let a 3-0 lead slip at home to the 10 men of Dinamo Minsk last weekend, scraping a 3-2 victory after a very nervous final 10 minutes. They also conceded at Belshina on the opening day, so Energetik’s attackers could have a field day on Sunday.

Goals on the agenda in Minsk

It would’ve been easy to write Energetik-BGU off after they lost last season’s Premier League top scorer Ilya Shkurin during the off-season, but they have showed little sign of altering their style and loanee winger Jasur Yakhshiboev has been a revelation so far, scoring two and assisting one in his opening two appearances.

Goals should be the order of the day here. Energetik’s league games last season averaged 3.93 goals per game and six of their last seven home league games have seen at least three goals. FC Minsk have already seen nine goals scored in their opening two outings, and the two meetings between these clubs last season saw a huge 13 goals netted. Over 2.5 Goals looks a very solid option indeed.

Energetik-BGU will feel they have enough to take all three points as well. They have won four of their last five home league games and face a Minsk side that have lost seven of their last 11 on the road in the Belarusian Premier League, two of which ended in 3-2 defeats. Energetik’s last five home games have seen them average three goals per game and concede 1.6 per game at the other end, so a 3-2 correct score bet could be lucrative.