Dinamo Brest Vs Smolevichi
Friday, 20 March 2020 – 15:00 GMT Kick-Off
Belarusian Premier League
Pick: Smolevichi +2 Asian Handicap
Odds: 29/40
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds displayed were correct at time of writing: 18 March 2020 at 23:50 GMT)
Preview: The defending Belarusian Premier League champions will get their defence underway at home, in front of an empty stadium unfortunately, as Dinamo Brest entertain newly-promoted Smolevichi.
Belarusian Premier League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Dinamo Brest Preview – Title defence to begin on a high?
History was made last season as the club, which was founded some sixty years ago, secured its first Belarusian Premier League title after finishing five points ahead of defending champions BATE Borisov. Across 30 rounds, Dinamo Brest won 23 times whilst suffering just the one defeat (W23 D6 L1, GF70 GA22), when a 2-1 scoreline at home to Dinamo Minsk, in July, spoiled any plans of an undefeated campaign.
Not only was winning matches clearly their forte but so, too, was scoring. With their total of 70 goals, coming at a rate of more than two per game (2.33), unsurpassed and at least nine more than the rest of the competition. Of which 44 were netted inside their Regional Sport Complex, where they would average 2.93 goals a game as they amassed 11 wins from 15 games (W11 D3 L1) in front of their own fans.
It almost goes without saying that there will be no fans on this occasion. Whether this hinders them in any way remains to be seen. Last season, all but one of their eleven home victories featured a minimum of three goals in the game, winning with a clean sheet less than half the time (5).
Smolevichi Preview – Promoted outfit seeking early scalp?
Established a little more than a decade ago, in 2009, the club has undergone more name changes than promotions. Indeed, even in the short time that has since passed following their latest stint in the Premier League, when slightly unfortunate to suffer demotion by virtue of an inferior head-to-head record with two teams in 2018, their identity has transformed from Smolevichi-TSI to simply Smolevichi.
Just the two games were lost in last season’s Belarus First League en route to promotion, finishing four points further back from champions Belshina Bobruisk with a record of W19 D7 L2, GF60 GA15. Those defensive numbers catch the eye more than all else, conceding at an impressive rate of one every two games played almost (0.53). For some context, those aforementioned champions shipped seven more goals, albeit whilst scoring 14 more times.
Keeping it tight was evidently the aim last season, with this even more apparent on their travels having maintained a clean sheet in ten of fourteen away outings. This whilst scoring at least once on twelve occasions as the visiting side. Replicating these displays in more esteemed company is the challenge now, beginning with a daunting trip to the reigning Premier League champions no less.
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Dinamo Brest Vs Smolevichi Betting Advice
The defending champions up against one of the newly-promoted outfits. It should be a straightforward assignment therefore, and the Match Odds reflects this with Dinamo Brest overwhelming favourites to begin their title defence with maximum points. They do so in front of an empty stadium though, which should help a visiting Smolevichi whose defensive numbers last season – albeit in lesser company – were very impressive.
Dinamo Brest Vs Smolevichi – Key Facts
- Dinamo Brest collected 17 of their 23 league victories last season in matches that contained a minimum of three goals.
- Smolevichi secured promotion with the leanest defence in last season’s First League, shipping 15 goals in their 28 matches.
- During their only previous spell in Belarus’ top-flight, in 2018, Smolevichi recorded a 1-0 home win and a creditable 2-2 away draw against Dinamo Brest.
A 2-2 draw ensued on the last occasion these teams met in Brest, which wasn’t all that long ago in 2018. Dinamo Brest have improved considerably thereafter, though, and were free-scoring during the previous term. However, there could be value in supporting a potentially dogged opponent in the shape of Smolevichi.
Best Betting Odds for Dinamo Brest Vs Smolevichi
Dinamo Brest – 1/5 (Bet365)
Draw – 11/2 (Boylesports)
Smolevichi – 14/1 (Bet365)
