Smolevichi vs. Rukh Brest Betting Preview – Belarusian Premier League, September 18, 2020

Smolevichi is in deep trouble. With nine games left in the season, it is six points adrift of even the relegation playoff place.

This weekend the basement dwellers kick off the round’s fixtures with a home game against a Rukh Brest side that has adapted far better to life in the Belarusian Premier League.

It looks as though the bookmakers have given up on Smolevichi already. MyBookie has it as a big underdog even though this game is being played at its own stadium. Rukh Brest has not always gone for the win this season – preferring to not lose instead. But the away win bet is probably just about better value than the draw here.

Earlier in the season, it looked like it would be Smolevichi that would pull away from the bottom of the table instead of Belshina. But the Premier League minnow has struggled with financial issues decimating the squad and forcing key personnel to leave the club.

Now there have been five consecutive defeats in the league, as well as a cup exit at the hands of lower league opposition. Things are not looking good for Smolevichi. The previous game between these two ended in a goalless draw but it would be a surprise if the home side doesn’t concede on Friday.

Worryingly for Smolevichi, Rukh Brest seems to have found its shooting boots recently. After making the 0-0 draw something of a specialty in the opening months of the season, Rukh has now settled into Premier League life very nicely – and the defeat last week was the first since the middle of July.

Neman Grodno was two goals to the good early on in that game and Rukh was always chasing its more determined opponents. But there have been a number of wins and draws against immediate rivals over the past couple of months that have consolidated Rukh’s status in the top flight for another season at least.

The odds may not be very attractive but there doesn’t seem to be any value at all in backing Smolevichi at the moment. Even a draw seems beyond its capabilities as the relegation looms for the cash-strapped club. Since Rukh Brest scored eight against Energetik-BGU in July it has scored three or more goals in five of its seven games, so this could be another goal-fest.