Belarussian Soccer Takes Center Stage as Most World Sports Shut Down

Go to nearly any online sportsbook and the odds are good Belarussian Soccer (Football) betting lines will headline most home pages.

The Belarus FA's general secretary Sergei Zhardetski has advised there are "currently no reasons" for suspending its domestic league amid the coronavirus outbreak across the globe.  To date as of April 3, there were 351 confirmed COVID-19 infections and four deaths in Belarus, a land-locked European nation with just over 9 million people.

With little to bet on, gamblers are now focusing their attention on the Belarus Soccer League.  Sites like FreeSoccerTips are offering tips and predictions for each day's games.

Sites like Bookmaker.eu prominently feature Belarus Soccer lines on their main page

"We review the situation on a daily basis," The Belarus FA's general secretary Sergei Zhardetski told ESPN. "We fully trust our health care system and there are currently no reasons for stopping the league.

"We understand that the situation in some countries is very serious but having consulted with the corresponding authorities in Belarus we have an understanding that our league can continue for the moment."

Clubs like Shakhter Soligorsk and Neman Grodno could soon become household names, at least among hardcore bettors.

These two sides were meeting on Saturday.  Neman Grodno were winless away from home against Shakhtyor since 2010 in all competitions.

Shakhtyor have won to nil  in nine of their last 11 Belarus Premier League meetings with Neman Grodno.

Shakhter Soligorsk To Win To Nil provided outstanding value at 10/11 odds.

It remains to be seen whether play will continue.  The Belarus Soccer League holds matches until the end of May.

Belarus Football fan taking precautions

"It is what it is," he said. "We did not ask for this label, but the situation in Belarus is really not that critical to close the tournament."

The general secretary said with attendance figures averaging just over 1,000 fans, they "are also trying to seat the people at a certain distance from each other."

"Additional popularization is good for Belarusian football. Obviously, there is an interest in terms of TV rights and a number of countries are broadcasting," he said. "But I think this is not the time to look at this from a commercial prospective."

The German Bundesliga season is set to be completed as 36 teams from top two tiers agree to play on once safe.  The jump start is anticipated some time in July.

Doubts remain over whether other European leagues will be able to finish the 2019/20 campaign.

- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com