Torpedo-BelAZ – Neftex: Preview
We have the plans for the Torpedo-BelAZ vs Neftex encounter within the framework of the 25th round of the 2026 Belarusian league. The survival‑struggling team, Neftex, has shown signs of life and poses a serious threat to the prolonged crisis of Torpedo-BelAZ.
Torpedo-BelAZ
1. The coaching change only helped partially
Torpedo-BelAZ has earned only seven points in the last 11 matches, with eight defeats recorded. Alexey Bagay was dismissed after the humiliating 0:6 loss to Vitebsk, after which the car manufacturers, under the direction of academy coach Denis Karolick, managed to beat Minsk in a rather dull game, thanks to a single penalty goal. Perhaps Torpedo-BelAZ could have extended the mini‑winning streak, but last Thursday, in the postponed match, league leader MLV Vitebsk did not fully capitalize on their advantage – 0:2.
2. Torpedo-BelAZ continues to suffer from a large number of injuries
In the physiotherapy room of the car makers are central defenders Matvey Mikhailin and Zakhar Baranok, midfielder Nikita Korzun, full‑back Ilya Rutski and striker Maksim Budko, and recently joined by them the starting goalkeeper Sergey Ignatovich. With a tight schedule, this complicates squad rotation – Denis Karolick only changes the attacking trio, where young Alexander Franukov and new team member Dmitry Yusov compete, and Yusov has yet to score his first goal for the Jodiny.
3. Torpedo-BelAZ has not lost to Neftex in over ten years
The main optimism of the car makers before the match with the oilmen is the favorable head‑to‑head statistics. The last defeat of Torpedo-BelAZ to Neftex dates back to 2014. Since then there have been three draws and 13 victories for the Jodiny in 16 direct encounters. Moreover, the last three meetings ended in favor of Torpedo-BelAZ with a total of 11:2.
Neftex
1. Three matches without defeat – is the prolonged crisis behind?
From mid‑August to early September, Neftex lost five consecutive matches with a total of 1:15. However, a miraculous transformation followed – in the last three games they scored seven goals, allowing them to earn seven of nine possible points in matches against BATE (2:2), Slavia (1:0) and Belshina (4:1). Yes, the three opponents are below the tenth place in the table, but in the survival battle this is not of great importance. Neftex moved to the second‑to‑bottom spot but remains in great danger.
2. Neftex’s new goalkeeper gains confidence
Excluding players absent since the start of the season, goalkeeper Denis Shelikhov and defender Jonathan John are in Neftex’s physiotherapy room. At the end of the summer transfer window, the club strengthened the goalkeeper position with experienced Denis Sadovsky, who is gradually adapting to Neftex. In the first two matches five goals were conceded in total, but in the next two – only one. In the game against Belshina, Neftex’s starting striker Ignat Pranovich was unavailable, but his new competitor in the position, Marlen Aymanov, performed very well, scoring two goals in his last two matches for the club. Due to suspension, midfielder Kirill Adamovich will not play the match against Torpedo-BelAZ.
3. Neftex almost has nowhere to add points – must beat each unstable rival
The Novopolotsk side is already in the First League. Six rounds remain, in which they must recover four points from Belshina or BATE to reach at least the playoff zone. However, the schedule of Neftex’s remaining matches is quite difficult – four of the six rounds will be played against teams in excellent form competing for medals at different levels. Therefore, the matches against Torpedo-BelAZ and Baranovichi are two great opportunities to climb out of the bottom. However, losing points in either of these encounters could end the goal of maintaining registration in the Superleague.
Suggested line‑ups
3-4-3-3-4-2-5
Yurasov3
Chagovets13
Zaleski6
Premudrov68
Julpia7
Bykov96
Miałko30
Pobudey28
Yusov11
Lomovitski89
Franzov16
Sadovsky8
Stefanishin69
Khadzhiev5
Lebedev22
Fezhenko50
Mafventa88
Drabatovich24
Seleznev57
Galimzyanov9
Yakovlev30
Aymanov
Betting on the trend
The minimum of three goals were scored in six of the last eight direct encounters between Torpedo-BelAZ and Neftex. TB(2,5) at 1.85.
In the last four matches, Torpedo-BelAZ scored in only one of the teams. Both teams scored only in two of the five away matches for Neftex. OZ(no) at 1.84.
Prediction
Torpedo-BelAZ vs Neftex 19.10.2026 19:00
Torpedo-BelAZ continues the gradual decline in the table, losing eight of the last 11 Superleague matches. In the last five rounds, only one victory was achieved, and in the last four home encounters, the car makers scored only one goal. The coaching change has not significantly affected Torpedo-BelAZ’s quality of play, and the team suffers from many injured players. Neftex fights for survival and has recently been successful, winning seven points in the last three matches. However, these were encounters with direct competitors for a spot in the Superleague, while Torpedo-BelAZ is not related to them. The car makers are considered a very uncomfortable opponent for the Novopolotsk side – the last victory dates back to 2014, and the last three direct encounters ended in a crushing defeat. Let’s assume Torpedo-BelAZ seizes the great opportunity to return to the winning path, but a positive result will be achieved with great effort. Prediction: 2-1
