Belarus Premier League Matchday 21 Odds & Picks

• Matchday 21 in the Belarus Premier League kicks off with games starting on Thursday
• Shakhtar’s win over Slutsk has given them a three-point lead over second-placed BATE and Neman
• We list the odds for all eight games and preview three, offering our best picks

As we approach Matchday 21 of the Belarus Premier League, things are still tight at the top but there was a twist last weekend. Shakhtar’s win over Slutsk and BATE’s defeat by Torpedo now means the former has opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table, with Neman also pulling level with BATE.

We’ll list all eight games, show the odds, preview three, and offer a pick for each.

Belarus Premier League Matchday 21 Odds

All odds taken Aug 5

Pick 1: Vitebsk vs Isloch

While this game in Vitebsk is deemed a ‘midtable clash’, it’s worth noting that both are still in touch with the top four. Vitebsk and Isloch are both on 29 points, just four points adrift of fourth-placed Torpedo, and so a win here for either will ensure they stay in contention.

Vitebsk comes into this off the back of a 1-0 away defeat by Dinamo Brest, but prior to that had won two and drawn two. The basis of their decent season has been a solid defense, which has conceded just 19 times in their 20 games, and they’ve had more than their fair share of clean sheets. They also come into this unbeaten in their last seven home league matches.

Isloch head into this after winning 4-2 away at Slavia Mozyr – their second win on the spin – and have picked up some momentum after a poor run. They score more goals than Vitebsk but, equally, are less sound defensively, so will look to attack and unpick Vitebsk’s well-drilled back-four.

Given how well these two are matched, the smart money here will be on a low-scoring draw.

Pick: Vitebsk and Isloch to draw (+220)

Pick 2: Energetik-BGU vs Neman Grodno

On Saturday, at the RCOP-BGU Stadium, sixth-placed Energetik entertains third-placed Neman. The visitors have been on a wonderful run and have been gradually squeezing the pressure on Shakhtar and BATE – nine wins and two draws in their last 11 games. They remain the league’s in-form team and have put themselves in with a genuine chance of winning this season’s title.

They come into this off the back off a 1-0 win against Dinamo Minsk and, like Vitebsk, have based their success on a sound defense, conceding just 13 in their 19 games.

Energetik’s problem has been a lack of consistency, highlighted by a win over BATE on July 4 being followed by a four-game winless run that included an 8-1 home defeat by Ruh Brest. For Energetik supporters, the season has been anything but dull!

Ahead of this, the Students are without a home win over their last two league games, and they’re very difficult to predict, but it’s hard to envisage anything other than an away win. Even better, it’s still in plus-money.

Pick: Neman to win (+125)

Pick 3: Ruh Brest vs Torpedo BelAZ

Fourth-placed Torpedo needs a win here to maintain their challenge at the top. They currently sit on 33 points – just seven points behind leaders Shakhtar – and head into this looking to make it three wins on the spin. Prior to this mini-run, they had gone three without victory and so it’s clear that their problem, like Energetik, has been one of lacking consistency. The key here will be which Torpedo team turns up.

Ruh start the day four points behind their visitors but come into this off the back of a narrow 1-0 win away to FC Minsk and a record of three wins in their last five. While they are currently down in 10th, they are still only a couple of wins away from getting themselves back in the mix and it’s worth noting they have lost only five games all season. There’s also the small matter of that outrageous 8-1 win away at Energetik in Week 17.

So, not an easy one to call – as suggested by the odds – but with Ruh having more joy away from home of late, for me, there’s value in the +190 for the Torpedo win.

Pick: Torpedo to win (+190)