Energetik vs. Sagadam Betting Preview and Pick – Yokary Liga, May 9

Two clubs from outside the capital city powerbase of Turkmenistan soccer face each other on Saturday as Sagadam makes the trip east to take on Energetik in Mary.

Both sides could do with a win to keep it anywhere near the hunt for the league title this season. But they are also well behind Ahal and Altyn Asyr in terms of points and talent, so the three points are more likely to be just a confidence boost instead.

I’ve provided my Energetik vs. Sagadam prediction and betting pick below to help you with your wagers for this match.

Sagadam’s recent good form has seen online sportsbook MyBookie opt for the visitors to be named as favorite to win this one. The Turkmenbasy club was thought to be able to compete at the top before the start of the season, but a disappointing opening few games put paid to that idea. The odds for a Sagadam win here do look interesting, though.

Energetik only came up to the top flight in Turkmenistan in 2015 but has already managed two third-place finishes in that time, before falling away slightly last season. This year has proved to be just as difficult for the Mary club, with just one win in the opening six games.

But there is a glimmer of hope. The draw with Altyn Asyr was a highlight, even if the equalizing goal came deep into stoppage time. Even the narrow loss to Ahal won’t be a crushing blow, and there will be a belief that Energetik could still end up as “best of the rest” if it can win games like this one.

Sagadam might have something to say about that, though. The Turkmenbasy club didn’t begin the season very well but has won its last two — at home against Merw and Kopetdag — and looks like living up to pre-season aspirations. If a third successive victory can be achieved here, it would definitely change the look of the table.

Games against Asgabat and Nebitci come up after this one for Sagadam, so there is a real chance to pull away from the bottom of the table with a win over Energetik. Neither side has been particularly prolific so far, though, so expect a low-scoring game.

Aside from Ahal and Altyn Asyr pulling away at the top of the Yokary Liga, there seems to be a certain degree of parity among the remaining clubs this year. That has probably frustrated a club such as Sagadam who would see itself as superior to some of the smaller teams, but it has made the season interesting.

The gaps between the sides are likely to widen over the next few weeks, however, and that could start with a Sagadam win here.