COVID-19 might be putting a stop to many soccer leagues around the world but some leagues are still open for business. We dig deep to bring you soccer odds and betting predictions for this weekend's soccer action focusing on matches in the Belarusian Premier League and Australian A-League.
BELARUSIAN PREMIER LEAGUE
FC Slutsk v Slavia Mozyr
While the majority of the soccer world is silent, the Belarusian Premier League remains up and running – and that's exciting news for Slavia Mozyr, who look to justify their promotion from the First Division as they kick things off Sunday against host FC Slutsk.
Mozyr are the defending champions of the First Division, and are only slight +190 underdogs in what is expected to be the most competitive game of the opening matchweek of the season. Slutsk (+150) are coming off an 11th-place finish in last year's Premier League standings, and won just five of their 15 home games in domestic play last season.
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AUSTRALIAN A-LEAGUE
Western Sydney v Sydney FC
Bankwest Stadium will be strangely quiet Saturday as Western Sydney Wanderers entertain rival Sydney FC in Australian A-League action. The visitors are seven points clear of the field, and will have the added benefit of playing in a rival stadium devoid of fans as the league looks to continue play despite the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
But Sydney FC (+110) are no lock to prevail here, with both of their losses this season coming in 1-0 setbacks to Wanderers. That said, the hosts (+240) haven't had much luck against the rest of the league, sitting eighth on the ladder entering this contest.
BETTING TRENDS
• Goals have been scarce in recent meetings between FC Vitebsk and FK Gorodeya as the Belarusian Premier League rivals prepare to do battle Saturday. The sides have combined for just seven goals over their previous four encounters, and both finished in the bottom-five in goals last season. The U2.5 is a bit off-putting at -188, but the U1.5 is worth a look at +162.
• Low-scoring games could be the order of the weekend in Belarus. Sunday's meeting between FC Slutsk and Slavia Mozyr is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with the two sides averaging a minuscule 1.33 total goals over their past six meetings. Given the tight odds between the clubs, we think the Draw/U2.5 combo is a solid option at +275.
• Could there be an upset in the offing this weekend? 2020 promotion Belshina Bobruisk certainly hopes so as it welcomes FC Minsk to Spartak Stadium for a Sunday encounter. Belshina Bobruisk finished third in goals (51) and goal margin (+26) in the First Division last year, while Minsk surrendered the fifth-most goals in Premier League play. The hosts are a decent option at +220.
• Another low-goal prop? Sure, why not? Western Sydney and Sydney have combined for just four goals over their previous three meetings, while this weekend's host team has just four goals in the previous six meetings overall. Sydney FC have failed in the previous four meetings, but we like the value of the visitors converting a clean sheet here at +240.
• Let's head the other way for our next Australian A-League prop – and we couldn't have chosen a better matchup for that tactic, with second-place Melbourne City hosting lowly Newcastle Jets. Melbourne City share the league lead in goals scored at 41, while Newcastle have allowed the third-most tallies (38). Add in the home-field edge, and we like Melbourne City O2.5 (+200).
• There might not be much excitement, but there's a strong draw opportunity on the Australian A-League schedule Monday as Perth Glory face Western United FC at HBF Park. Only four points separate the fifth and sixth-place clubs in the table, and with the sides settling for a 1-1 draw in their previous meeting on October 19, a tie in the rematch could be a savvy pick at +333.
