Dinamo Brest +100 Favorites to Win Belarus Cup Ahead of Semifinals Leg 2

• Dinamo Brest are the +100 favorites to win the Belarus Cup ahead of the second leg of the semifinals
• BATE Borisov sit at +250 despite trailing after the first leg
• Slavia Mozyr defeated BATE in the first leg, but the books don’t fancy their chances

The Belarus Cup is one of the only soccer betting events going on at the moment. It has attracted much more attention than usual as a result, as soccer fans across the world turn to Belarus to get their soccer hit. Dinamo Brest and BATE Borisov have never been as popular from a betting perspective.

Brest and BATE top the Belarus Cup odds after the first legs of the semifinals. BATE are the bigger name of the two, having appeared in the Champions League and/or Europa League in seven seasons during the 2010s. Brest, on the other hand, have never made it past the qualifying rounds, and fell to Apollon Limassol in the third qualifying phase for the 2018-19 Europa League.

Having defeated Shakhtyor Soligorsk 2-0 in the first leg, Brest are in a commanding position to make their way into the final. BATE have more work to do, however, having suffered a surprise defeat to Slavia Mozyr.

Belarus Cup Odds

Odds taken Apr. 28

Slavia Mozyr Are Dark Horses

Perhaps the title of ‘dark horse’ isn’t befitting of a team carrying a lead into the second leg, but against BATE, Mozyr aren’t exactly favored despite winning the first leg. Slavia have only won two of their six league matches thus far this season, though those wins crucially came against BATE and Brest, setting them up well for their first cup win since 2000.

It’s a peculiar situation with Slavia. Their wins over their main cup rivals should make them an appealing bet, yet their overall form leaves plenty to be desired. It’s two league defeats in two matches after falling 3-1 at home to FC Minsk on Sunday.

They were happy to absorb pressure in the first match against BATE, settling for just over 40% possession. Playing on the break, Mozyr got out quickly in transition and got more shots off than their opponents, with seven of their 10 attempts hitting the target. A trip to Borisov Arena will be a sterner test, of course, but Slavia have shown they have the blueprint to beat their better-known opponents.

Underwhelming Form

BATE’s loss to Slavia isn’t their only disappointment thus far. The runners up last season have 10 points from their first six matches and drew with Zhodino on Matchday 5. A run of 13 consecutive league titles came to an end last season, and the club are under pressure to deliver this time around. Falling to Mozyr in the semifinals would be a major blow.

Having won their first-ever league title last season, Brest came into this campaign as challengers once again, but it’s been a nightmare start in the league with seven points taken from their six matches. They lost to Shakhtyor Soligorsk on Sunday, leaving them down in 14th. Will that give Soligorsk confidence of a second leg comeback?

That victory will undoubtedly see some bettors back Soligorsk to win the competition. They have started the campaign poorly in the league too, but they were in the mix at the top of the table last season and have what it takes to shock Brest at Stroitel Stadium in the second leg.

Muddled Draw

The up and down form of all four teams, and the fact they have beaten each other, makes this a fascinating pair of semifinal second legs. Brest are understandably favored with their 2-0 lead over Soligorsk, and BATE have been the best of the bunch in the league, but Mozyr have a strategy that has worked against last season’s top two.

Soligorsk have a mountain to climb, and that’s reflected in their +1400 price. They are a tempting pick given the unpredictability of these two matches, but their league form makes it hard to see them turning over the two-goal deficit and winning the final.

BATE’s league form just tips it in their favor here. The +200 price is worth it despite trailing Slavia.

Pick: BATE Borisov (+200)