Smolevichi vs Vitebsk Predictions

• Vitebsk averaged just 0.8 goals per game in the Belarus Premier League last season.
• 10 of Vitebsk’s last 11 league games have seen fewer than three goals scored.
• Smolevichy have seen 14 of their 17 all-time top flight away games end with fewer than three goals scored.
• Vitebsk have won three of their last four competitive meetings with Smolevichy, keeping a clean sheet in all those victories.

Vitebsk fail to build on opening day win

Vitebsk, despite occupying positions in the top half of the table for three consecutive seasons, avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season as a run of four straight defeats at the end of the campaign caused them to plummet in the rankings. They eventually ended up 13th in the standings, only a point above the relegation playoff position.

Fortunately for the home fans, Vitebsk started the new term by getting out of that rut and beating Gorodeya 1-0 to get some early points on the board. They couldn’t build on that opening day win last weekend though as they lost away to Neman Grodno, but they will feel a little more confident heading into this clash though.

Visitors struggle to get to grips with the top flight

Smolevichy are still on the hunt for their first win of the Belarus Premier League season, with a draw at Dinamo Brest and defeat to Isloch punctuating their return to the top flight.

This is only Smolevichy’s second stint in the top flight, which is perhaps unsurprising considering they were only founded in 2009. However, their debut stint in 2018 wasn’t particularly successful as they were relegated with 24 points from their 30 games.

Goal drought expected at the Vitebsky Central Sports Complex

The real problem that both of these sides face is a complete absence of goalscoring ability. Apart from Torpedo Minsk, who withdrew from the league early on, Vitebsk had the lowest scoring tally in the Premier League last season, averaging just 0.8 goals per game.

While not quite as relevant, Smolevichy managed an even more meagre 21 goals in their 2018 Premier League campaign, and the fact they’ve only scored once so far this season suggests they are yet to find a solution in the goalscoring department.

As you might have guessed, this probably won’t be one for the neutrals. 10 of Vitebsk’s last 11 league games have seen fewer than three goals and, with eight of their last 10 home games also suffering a lack of goals, it’s clear their problem doesn’t abate on more familiar turf either. Both of Smolevichy’s games have seen fewer than three goals, as have 14 of their 17 all-time Premier League away games, so backing Under 2.5 goals is the obvious choice.

Vitebsk should have enough about them to scrape a win though. They have won three of their last four competitive meetings with Smolevichy, and given they have averaged exactly a goal per game at home since the start of last season we think a 1-0 correct score is on the cards.