The final match to be played in the Belarus Premier League this weekend has the makings of being a great game as the teams in second and third place meet. Shakhter Soligorsk play Energetik-BGU at the Stadyen Budaŭnik with the hosts beginning the weekend in third place on 21 points and the visitors in third place on 22 points.
Shakhter Soligorsk come into the game having defeated Dinamo Minsk 1-0 away from home last weekend. That result means they are undefeated in their last 7 games in all competitions and Shakhter Soligorsk have won 6 of those matches.
There have been victories over Dinamo Brest and Dinamo Minsk away plus wins against Isloch, Slavia and Belshina at home, all in the league. Shakhter Soligorsk also beat Dinamo Brest at home in the cup plus were held to a 1-1 draw at Vitebsk away from home in the league. Home form shows Shakhter Soligorsk have won each of their last 4 matches in all competitions and they have scored 2 or more goals in each of those 4 victories.
In fact, Shakhter Soligorsk have scored exactly 4 goals in 3 of their last 4 home games. Trends show they are undefeated in 26 of their last 30 Premier League games and Shakhter Soligorsk have won by 2 or more goals in 8 of their last 13 home Belarus Premier League games.
Energetik-BGU make the trip to the Stadyen Budaŭnik having picked up a point in an exciting 3-3 draw with Vitebsk at home last weekend. Having fallen behind early in the game, Energetik-BGU scored 2 goals to lead but were pegged back just before half-time only to re-take the lead in the 44th minute. Energetik-BGU looked set to claim maximum points but conceded an equaliser in the 9th minute.
That result means Energetik-BGU are undefeated in their last 5 league games. They have won 4 of those 5 matches with wins coming at home against Dinamo Brest and at Smolevichy-STI, Slutsk and Isloch. In fact, Energetik-BGU are in good away form having won each of their last 3 away Premier League games.
Trends show that in 15 of Energetik-BGU's last 20 away Premier League games there have been over 2.5 goals scored. Energetik-BGU have scored exactly 2 goals in each of their last 3 away matches.
Team news and Shakhter Soligorsk have three players injured for this game and Lasha Shindagoridze, Sergei Politsevich and Tin Vukmanic are all set to miss out.
Energetik-BGU will be without the suspended Yevgeni Yudchits who was sent off in the previous game against Vitebsk. Defender Artem Sokol is doubtful due to a muscle injury but Jasurbek Yakhshiboev is available again following suspension.
This is a big game involving two teams who are trying to keep pace with BATE at the top of the table. Both are in good form and we should see each team score and over 2.5 goals in the game. However, with home advantage it could be Shakhter Soligorsk who take maximum points.