Neman Grodno’s run of matches without a win in all competitions stretched to 3 last weekend when they were handed a 1-0 defeat away from home at Isloch Minsk, which followed pre-season friendly defeat away at Gorodeya and a draw with FC Minsk.
Despite defeat last time out though in the season-opener in the Vysshaya Liga, Neman Grodno have plenty of reasons to be confident when returning to home turf for this upcoming clash against Vitebsk at their Stadyen Nyoman as the hosts have won 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions, including a penalty win against Sunday’s opponents, Vitebsk.
That win came in the Belazovets Friendly Tournament but Neman Grodno have avoided defeat to Vitebsk in each of their last 3 meetings against them in their own backyard, as well as losing just 1 of their last 5 league matches at home in the Vysshaya Liga which includes wins against Dnyapro, FC Minsk and Tarpeda.
У суботу першую хатнюю гульню праводзяць нашы дублёры 💛💚 #fcneman📅 28 сакавіка (субота)⏱ 14:00🏟 Гродна. Футбольны манеж pic.twitter.com/IbVZa1f0Ez— ФК Нёман Гродна 🦌 (@fcneman) March 27, 2020
У суботу першую хатнюю гульню праводзяць нашы дублёры 💛💚 #fcneman📅 28 сакавіка (субота)⏱ 14:00🏟 Гродна. Футбольны манеж pic.twitter.com/IbVZa1f0Ez
The last three encounters against Vitebsk have all produced low-scoring affairs with results of 0-0, 0-0 and 1-0 respectively, while 4 of the last 5 meetings between Neman Grodno and Vitebsk have resulted in under 2.5 goals.
Onto Vitebsk and the visitors registered a 1-0 home win against Gorodeya in last week’s opening game of the season which will have given Vitebsk early hope of emulating last season’s disappointing 13th placed finish at the end of last season’s Vysshaya Liga campaign.
Indeed, Vitebsk avoided being involved in the dreaded relegation/promotion play-off by the skin of their teeth as they finished just 1 point above third from bottom outfit, Dnyapro who were eventually relegated.
Vitebsk’s win over Gorodeya ended a dismal run of 4 league defeats on the trot as they’d slumped to losses against Dnyapro, BATE, Dinamo Brest and Slavia.
While away from home, Vitebsk lost 5 of their last 7 matches on their travels while the visitors failed to score in 10 of their 15 away matches last season.
Therefore, fortunes could be reversed in this Sunday’s clash with Neman Grodno perhaps edging the points here but it looks more likely that this clash will be a low-scoring affair as the last three encounters between these two teams have produced just one goal.