On Thursday evening, Dinamo Minsk host Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League third qualifying first leg.
Dinamo Minsk have endured mixed fortunes in the Europa League in recent seasons. However, the team from the Belarus capital have won three of their four European games this season, having eliminated Irish team Derry City and DAC of Slovakia. The home side’s last three Europa League outings have also produced over 2.5 goals, so this game could be entertaining.
Just like their recent record in general in the Europa League, Minsk’s record on home soil is mixed, as the home side have won three of their last seven home games in the competition.
Dinamo’s latest Europa League games on home soil have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five outings in the competition.
Zenit have a decent recent record in the Europa League, having made the last-16 of the competition last season, where they suffered defeat by German outfit RB Leipzig.
Despite making the last 16 last season, the visitors have won just one of their last four games in Europe’s secondary competition. Zenit’s recent games in the competition have been relatively high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six games in the Europa League.
Zenit have a mixed away record in the Europa League, winning just three of their last nine matches. However, the Russian side has suffered defeat in their last two games on their travels in the competition.
The visitor’s recent away games in the Europa League have been relatively low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last eight outings.
Forebet predicts that Zenit will record a victory in a low scoring encounter to move closer to qualifying for the Europa League play-off round.