Smolevichi vs. Torpedo Bel-AZ Zhodino – Belarusian Premier League, October 18, 2020

It has been a tough season for Smolevichi. It was always going to be tough but financial constraints have made top flight survival almost impossible.

Now seven points from safety with just five games to play, it looks like the end is in sight. Is there any chance that the minnows can take anything from this game with Torpedo on Sunday?

I’m not sure I can remember the last time that Smolevichi was considered to be the favorite to win a game this season. But MyBookie has shown a complete lack of faith in the side taking the points this weekend. The sad thing is that I totally agree with these odds and a Torpedo victory is the only real possibility.

It took a while for Smolevichi to get going this season but around 12 or 13 games in there was an upturn in form that suggested that it may be able to survive a season in the top flight after all. Belshina was playing poorly and there was a string of good results. Unfortunately, that was the signal for financial problems to rear their head and many of the best players left the club.

It will actually be something of an achievement if Smolevichi is able to finish the season at all, but the likelihood of it staying up is all but gone. There have now been nine consecutive defeats in the league and an exit in the cup to lower league opposition. I can’t see that run of form changing on Sunday.

Torpedo, on the other hand, has had a curious season. It has looked at times to be pushing for the top three, while playing like a team much further down the table at others. Form has picked up recently though and there might still be some faint hope of breaking into the European places.

With five games to go, the Zhodino club leads the chasing pack in the middle of the table and sits just five points off Shakhtyor in third. It would take a real effort to climb the table much further but a few more wins in the final games of the season would keep the pressure on at the top at least.

The odds for a single win bet just are not worth it for this game as I cannot see any way that Smolevichi can arrest its descent and even manage a draw with Torpedo on Sunday. Better options when it comes to including this game on a wager would be a parlay or maybe a total goals bet.