Dinamo Minsk v Hearts: Struggling side face strange opener

Dinamo won the Belarusian Premier League for the first time since 2004 last term, and are on course to defend their title again.

They are currently three points behind leaders Neman Grodno but with three games in hand having won four of their past five matches.

That one defeat, to Vitebsk, is their only loss in 20 league matches, with their domestic campaign having started back in March.

However, they have struggled in recent games played outside of Minsk, losing their last four – including 2-1 to Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps in Europa League qualifying, although they still won that tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Defence has been Dinamo’s strong point this season. They have only conceded 15 goals in their 28 games, with centre-backs Denis Polyakov and Sergei Politevich both experienced Belarus internationals.

Goalkeeper Fedor Lapoukhov has also recently broken into the national team, as has right-back Vadim Pigas.

On the other side, Brazilian left-back Rai Lopes is relied upon to get forward and fire in dangerous deliveries.

Minsk gave both Bulgarian side Ludogorets and Belgian club Anderlecht, experienced teams at this level, serious problems in qualifiers, losing just 2-1 and 2-0 on aggregate respectively.

Against Anderlecht in particular they passed up several good opportunities to score and had more attempts than their opponents in the ‘home’ leg, but goalscoring has been an issue.

Although main striker Steven Alfred provides a strong presence up top, he only has two goals in 12 appearances this season and Minsk rely more on goals coming from their wingers, who sometimes play as inside forwards.

Winger Ivan Bakhar scored the winner against Ludogorets and Dmitri Podstrelov and Raymond Adeola are also key figures.

But with Hearts having only scored four goals in 10 games this season, this tie looks set to be low scoring, and tight.