Smolevichi vs Shakhter Soligorsk Predictions

• Only seven goals have been scored in these teams’ six combined league games this season.
• All three of the previous meetings between Smolevichi and Shakhtyor have seen fewer than three goals scored.
• Shakhtyor have won all three of these previous encounters to nil.
• Smolevichi have lost their last two matches by a 1-0 scoreline.

Smolevichi brace themselves for tough campaign

Smolevichi fans might’ve thought they were in for a surprisingly good season back on matchday one as they picked up an impressive point away to reigning champions Dinamo Brest, but things haven’t panned out the way they’d have hoped.

The newly promoted team, who are taking part in only their second ever top flight campaign, have since lost 1-0 to both Isloch and Vitebsk, and latter of which only avoided relegation by two points last season.

They have shown very little attacking intent since that 55th minute opener against Dinamo Brest, attempting eight shots on goal in their two matches since and testing the keeper on just four occasions. There have been some positives at the other end of the pitch, but this lack of goalscoring prowess is likely to become a very real problem as they battle against relegation.

Shakhtyor eye up top spot as rivals start slowly

Shakhtyor certainly won’t be giving much away at the back either. They may have suffered defeat in the first leg of their Belarusian Cup semi-final in midweek, but they have conceded just one goal in their three league matches this season and, after slow starts from both BATE and Dinamo Brest, will be eyeing up their first title win since 2005.

The visitors are also enduring some tough times up front, though. They may have been almost impenetrable at the back, but they have only found the net twice themselves and have been shut out by both Torpedo Zhodino and Neman Grodno.

Goals at a premium at the Ozyorny Stadium

With a grand total of seven goals scored in these teams’ six combined Belarus Premier League fixtures this season, all signs point towards another low scoring encounter. Under 2.5 goals has landed in all of both Smolevichi’s and Shakhtyor’s league games this season, as well as in all three of their previous competitive meetings, so we’re backing that on Sunday.

Shakhtyor should still have the quality to take the points though. They have won all of their previous encounters with Smolevichi and, with the hosts losing their last two games by a goal to nil, backing a 1-0 correct score prediction looks a good shout.