Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs. Vitebsk 9/12/20 Vysshaya League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Shakhtyor Soligorsk is welcoming Vitebsk to Stroitel Stadium in round 23 in the Belarus Vysshaya League.

Shakhtyor is one of the best teams in the Vysshaya League, but they have lost 2 of their last 3 games. Shakhtyor was also playing in the Europa League qualifications against FC Sfintul Gheorghe, the team from Moldova. Shakhtyor has lost this match after a penalty shootout, and they got knocked out of the competition. After this match, Shakhtyor was playing against Gomel in the Belarus Cup, which they won 1-4. In their last Vysshaya League match against Isloch on the road, Shakhtyor was the better team with 53% of ball possession, 10 shots on goal, 6 free kicks, and 6 corner kicks. Shakhtyor is the best defensive team in the Vysshaya League, and it was quite odd for them to conceded 4 goals in this match. Shakhtyor has lost this game 4-2. Shakhtyor is still at the top of the standings with 43 points, 38 scored goals, and only 13 conceded goals, but Bate Borisov is on their tail with the same amount of points. Politevich and Shindagoridze are both injured, and they will not be playing in this match. Podstrelov scored 7 goals for Shakhtyor this season, while Lisakovich added 9 goals, but he is no longer with the club. It’s an exciting season in the Vysshaya League, and if anything will win the title for Shakhtyor is their defense, which is the best in the league.

Vitebsk has been in decent shape this season, and they are far from the relegation zone, and from the Europa League as well. With 30 points, Vitebsk is in 9th place in the standings. With 23 scored goals, and 23 conceded goals, Vitebsk has been solid on both ends this season, but this offense is not enough for the better result at the end of the season. Vitebsk has won their Belarus Cup game last week 0-6, and they will advance to the next stage. In their last Vysshaya League game against Slavia Mozyr on the road, Vitebsk has had 51% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 18 free kicks, and 5 corner kicks. Vitebsk got ahead in the 11th minute, but Slavia tied the result in the 34th minute. The second half was less exciting, and this match ended in 1-1 draw. Nicolaescu is the leading goalscorer for Vitebsk with 9 goals, while Carioca added 4 goals. There are no injuries or suspensions in Vitebsk as of now, but Cesar is in danger of being suspended if he concedes another yellow card. With the Europa League out of their reach, and the relegation zone far behind them, Vitebsk’s Vysshaya League status is secured, and they can play without pressure for the rest of the season.

The trends are heavily on the Shakhtyor’s side in this matchup, and they are the better team here. Shakhtyor has to keep winning games if they want to stay ahead of Bate Borisov, and I see them doing that here.