Two teams only separated by goal difference in the Belarusian Premier League will meet this Saturday as FC Vitebsk play host to current champions Dinamo Brest.
Vitebsk go into the game following a 1-1 draw against FC Slutsk, while Dinamo overcame FC Isloch 3-1 last time out.
Match preview
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Vitebsk were on course to record their third victory from four games away to Slutsk last weekend, but the home side's equaliser through Souleymane Koanda leaves Vitebsk sixth in the table at this early stage of the season.
Sergey Yasinski's side have picked up two wins during the 2020 campaign so far, and will be eager to improve on their disappointing 13th-placed finish last season.
At this stage in the 2019 campaign, Vitebsk had yet to record a victory in the Vysheyshaya Liga, and two 1-0 triumphs over Gorodeya and Smolevichi-STI is no doubt a much-improved start for the Belarusian outfit.
Yasinski's side are still waiting for their first top flight title, but Vitebsk did reach the final of last season's Belarusian Cup, finishing runners up to Shaktyor Soligorsk as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.
However, Vitebsk's home form is a definite cause for concern heading into the visit of Dinamo; Yasinski's men have only won two out of their last 10 league matches in front of their own fans, notching up a mere six goals in that time.
Meanwhile, Dinamo have suffered similar fortunes as they attempt to defend their 2019 title, sitting above Vitebsk only on goal difference following two wins, one draw and one loss from four outings.
Sergey Kovalchuk's side triumphed in the Vysheyshaya Liga for the first time in their history last season, adding to the two consecutive Belarusian Cup victories they recorded in 2017 and 2018.
Dinamo are on course to reach the final of the national cup once again following a 2-0 semi-final first-leg victory over Shakhtyor earlier this month, but will need a little extra push if they are to mount a challenge to retain their league title.
Kovalchuk's men currently lie fourth in the table after four games, although their 2-1 loss away to Slavia Mozyr was their first league defeat since July.
Furthermore, Dinamo's record on the road speaks for itself; the current holders are unbeaten in their last 17 Vysheyshaya Liga matches away from home, picking up 14 victories along the way.
Depending on results elsewhere, either team could potentially finish the weekend at the top of the table with a victory, with both clubs currently two points adrift of early leaders Energetik-BGU.
FC Vitebsk Vysheyshaya Liga form: WLWD
Dinamo Brest Vysheyshaya Liga form: DWLW
Dinamo Brest form (all competitions): DWLWW
Head To Head
The two sides have met a total of 38 times down the years, with all games coming in the Belarusian top flight. Dinamo have recorded 23 wins compared to Vitebsk's 12.
Furthermore, the current Vysheyshaya Liga champions are unbeaten in seven matches against their opponents this weekend, and have won the last three meetings on the bounce by one goal to nil.
We say: FC Vitebsk 0-2 Dinamo Brest
Dinamo will be determined to further their title charge as the season gathers pace, and with their superior away record compared to Vitebsk's underwhelming home form, we cannot see any other result than a comfortable victory for the league champions.
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