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Dinamo Minsk and Pyunik clash at the Mezőkövesdi Városi Stadion in neutral Hungary on Wednesday for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.
Looking to reach the group stages of a major European competition for the first time since the 2015-16 season, Dinamo Minsk got here after winning the Belarusian Premier League last year.
Now in the 2024 season, Vadim Skripchenko's side have continued in the same vein, sitting atop the league table with 35 points from 15 games and unbeaten so far. They're ahead of Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino, who have also accumulated 35 points, on goal-difference.
On the other hand, Pyunik are looking make their second appearance at a major club tournament after making their UEFA Europa Conference League debut in the 2022-23 season. They nearly made it again last year, but Norway's Bodo/Glimt spoiled their plans by inflicting a 6-0 aggregate loss in the third qualifying round.
After winning the Armenian Premier League last season, the Yerevan outfit are back in the Champions League qualifiers after two years, and will be hoping to reach the group stages in their 14th attempt.
This will also mark their first game of the 2024-25 season, with the Pomegranate Colors not even starting their pre-season yet, unlike Minsk, who are in the middle of their league campaign right now.
Dinamo Minsk vs Pyunik Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This is the first official meeting between the sides in history
- The Yerevan side is facing a Belarusian side for the first time
- Dinamo Minsk have gone out in the first qualifying round of European competitions in three of their last four years
- Dinamo Mink were last seen in Europe's major competition in the 2015-16 season of the Europa League
- Dinamo Mink have failed to win any of their last four qualifying games in Europe, losing three
Dinamo Minsk vs Pyunik Prediction
Both sides have underwhelmed in Europe recently, but will be eager to right the wrongs and make a statement here. Plus, the game will be held on a neutral turf, so the sides enter the tie on equal footing. Expect a tense game between these European hopefuls, with Pyunik eventually nicking this one narrowly.
Prediction: Dinamo Minsk 1-2 Pyunik
Dinamo Minsk vs Pyunik
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
