Early leaders Energetik-BGU will play host to FK Gorodeya on Thursday as the Belarusian Premier League enters its fifth gameweek of the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Energetik go into the tie off the back of a 2-0 loss in a top-of-the-table clash with Torpedo BelAZ, while Gorodeya overcame Dinamo Minsk 1-0 for their second win of the season.
Match preview
Despite recording their first loss of the season away to Torpedo on Saturday, Energetik remain at the summit of the Vysheyshaya Liga on goal difference following three wins from their opening four fixtures.
Vladimir Belyavski has witnessed his side defeat 15-time champions BATE Borisov and seven-time champions Dinamo Minsk during the current campaign, no mean feat considering they only made their return to the top flight last year.
Energetik spent 12 years in the Belarusian second division between 2006 and 2018, but are now firmly back in the big time and looking to build upon their 12th-placed finish last season.
Belyavski has had the goals of Uzbek midfielder Jasurbek Yakshiboev to thank for their rise to the top of the Vysheyshaya Liga; the 22-year-old currently leads the way in the top scorer charts with three in his opening four matches.
Furthermore, Energetik have won five out of their last six home fixtures in the Belarusian top flight, and will no doubt be looking to build on their early-season form this Thursday.
In contrast, Gorodeya have suffered mixed fortunes during the start of the 2020 campaign, winning two and losing two of their opening four matches.
Oleg Radushko's side lost their first two fixtures to FC Vitebsk and Shakhtyor Soligorsk, but have since embarked on a two-game winning streak with 1-0 victories over Belshina Bobruisk and Minsk respectively.
As a result, Gorodeya are one of four Vysheyshaya Liga on six points at this current stage, and will travel to Energetik sitting ninth in the table.
Furthermore, Gorodeya's current position is one that they will be very familiar with; they have finished ninth in three of their last four seasons in the top flight since their maiden campaign in 2016.
Radushko's side enjoyed their highest-ever finish in the Belarusian football pyramid last season as they placed seventh, but Gorodeya will do well to secure all three points against an Energetik side who currently lead the way in the early stages of the season.
Energetik form: WWWL
Gorodeya form: LLWW
Head To Head
Energetik have failed to beat Gorodeya since the sides first met in the second round of the Belarusian Cup in 2016, defeating the current Vysheyshaya Liga leaders 3-2 on penalties in their inaugural clash.
Last season's corresponding fixture between the two clubs ended in a 0-0 draw, while Gorodeya took the spoils in a 1-0 home victory during their most recent meeting.
We say: Energetik-BGU 1-0 FK Gorodeya
Energetik have come flying out of the blocks during the early stages of the 2020 campaign, and we expect Belyavski's men to get back to winning ways on Thursday despite Gorodeya's impressive record against them.
Ben Knapton
