Energetik-BGU play host to Vitebsk on Sunday afternoon knowing that a fifth successive victory will take them to the top of the Belarusian top flight, at least for a couple of hours.
Meanwhile, Vitebsk make the trip to the RCOR-BGU Stadium having recorded three successive draws, keeping the club down in eighth position.
Match preview
© Reuters
After three defeats in a row, Energetik went into May primarily looking to get their season back on track, most likely being content with maintaining a place in the top half of the table.
However, recording four consecutive wins has left the Students as the strongest challengers to BATE Borisov, who sit just one point above them and play at a later kickoff time on Sunday.
Vladimir Belyavskiy, in charge of a team who finished in 12th place last season, will want to take full advantage of seeing his team sit at the top of the standings, regardless of whether that changes later in the day.
Given that their last three triumphs have been by 2-1 margins, there is every suggestion that Energetik have the character to extend their recent run.
That said, four of their most recent eight goals have come from the penalty spot, a statistic which will not have gone unnoticed by their upcoming opponents.
Vitebsk had been one of the early pacesetters, winning three of their first five games, but they are now without success since April 18.
Although they have recorded a goalless draw with in-form Shakhtyor Soligorsk in recent weeks, Sergey Yasinsky will be the first to admit that his team need a catalyst to get their campaign back on track.
Having conceded just two goals in three games, Yasinsky will be delighted with the defensive aspect of their game, but that leaves pressure at the other end of the pitch.
Vitebsk are seemingly reliant on top goalscorer Ion Nicolaescu, whose four goals have come from just seven appearances after a spell on the sidelines.
Energetik-BGU form: LLWWWW
Vitebsk form: WLLDDD
Head To Head
Sunday's clash will represent just the seventh between these clubs since 2002, with last season's double-header ending a 15-year wait for their next head-to-head.
Although Vitebsk have won four of the previous six encounters, Energetik prevailed by a 2-0 scoreline in the most recent meeting in October.
We say: Energetik-BGU 2-1 Vitebsk
While Vitebsk may benefit from not being under any real pressure when taking on Energetik, we still expect the home side to come through. Nevertheless, given the growing trend of 2-1 victories, do not be surprised to see a fourth in succession.
