The upcoming face-off in the World Cup Qualification UEFA Group C between Belarus and Greece is set for November 18, 2025, at 20:45, hosted at the ZTE Arena. Belarus, playing at home, has faced tough times recently, losing all their last five outings while letting in a lot of goals. On the other side, Greece has shown a bit more spark, winning two but losing their next three games, including a 3-1 defeat against Denmark. Their last match-up resulted in Greece overpowering Belarus with a 5-1 victory on September 5, 2025. To get an idea of how Greece’s strategy might play out, you can explore this insightful preview of Greece vs Scotland’s match.
Statistical Trends
Belarus struggles offensively and defensively, averaging just 0.60 goals for and conceding a hefty 3.80 goals per match. In contrast, Greece scores an average of 2.20 goals while they concede 2.00 goals per game. Christos Tzolis shines as Greece’s top goal-getter in qualifying with two goals, while Belarus’s German Barkovsky has scored just one. This disparity in form is also echoed in the betting odds favoring Greece with an Asian Handicap of -1.50, reflecting Belarus’s ongoing woes at the back. Given Greece’s ability to score and Belarus’s defensive lapses, the outlook points strongly towards a Greek victory.
Belarus vs Greece Prediction & Betting Tip
In their last five games, Belarus has neither won nor kept a clean sheet, with an average of 3.8 goals conceded per game. On the flip side, Greece comes in confidently after their hefty 5-1 victory over Belarus in their last meeting, building on strong scoring records. Belarus’s defensive issues seem likely to allow Greece’s attack, led by Christos Tzolis, to thrive. The prediction leans towards backing Greece on the Asian Handicap, expecting them to comfortably surpass the goal margin.
| Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Greece -1.50 (AH) | N/A |
Belarus vs Greece Odds
Belarus hosts Greece as heavy underdogs, with odds reflecting a challenging match for them. The odds for an away win stand at 1.24, highlighting Greece as strong favorites. Meanwhile, home win odds are 11.35, suggesting low confidence for a Belarus victory, and the draw odds at 5.75 indicate a slim chance for a stalemate. Greece’s strong scoring form, averaging 2.20 goals per match, bolsters the Away Win appeal. In contrast, Belarus’s shaky defense, conceding an average of 3.80 goals per match, makes a Home Win unlikely. Historically, both teams have found the net in 60% of Belarus and Greece matches, indicating potential goals in this game.
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Home Win | 11.35 |
| Draw | 5.75 |
| Away Win | 1.24 |
Belarus Team Analysis
Belarus Recent Performance
Belarus’s recent form has been poor, with five straight losses across competitions. Their recent results include a tight 2-1 loss to Scotland in a World Cup Qualification game on October 12, 2025, and a harsh 6-0 defeat by Denmark on October 9, 2025. Before that, they lost 0-2 to Scotland on September 8, 2025, and suffered a 5-1 defeat to Greece on September 5, 2025. Even in a June 10, 2025 friendly, they were beaten 1-4 by Russia. No clean sheets and an average of only 0.60 goals scored highlight their issues, while letting in 3.80 goals per game points to defensive frailties, seen in the heavy loss to Denmark.
| Date | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-12 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Scotland 2 – 1 Belarus |
| 2025-10-09 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Belarus 0 – 6 Denmark |
| 2025-09-08 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Belarus 0 – 2 Scotland |
| 2025-09-05 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Greece 5 – 1 Belarus |
| 2025-06-10 | Friendly | Belarus 1 – 4 Russia |
Belarus Key Players
Despite the struggles, German Barkovsky leads the charge with one goal, underscoring a lackluster attack. Goalkeeper Fedor Lapoukhov feels the brunt of this team’s defensive duties. Defenders Vadim Pigas and Egor Parkhomenko have been central to a backline that has conceded 19 goals in five matches. Midfielders like Max Ebong play a crucial role but haven’t delivered much in terms of goals or assists. Evgeni Malashevich and Evgeniy Yablonski offer vigor in midfield, while wingers Kiril Pechenin and Valeri Gromyko provide width, albeit with little end product. Coach Carlos Alos may rely on veteran Pavel Zabelin’s experience to shore up a wobbly defense.
Belarus Suspensions & Injuries
The Belarus squad faces injury challenges. Aleksandr Martynovich is currently out with a knock injury and is expected back in late November 2025. There are no further injury or suspension updates available at the moment.
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Aleksandr Martynovich | Knock injury | Late November 2025 |
Belarus Tactics and Formation
Belarus is likely to set up in a 4-5-1 formation, with German Barkovsky as the lone forward supported by a packed midfield. The defense, missing Martynovich, will feature Parkhomenko, Pigas, and Zabelin. Central midfielders Ebong and Yablonski are pivotal, flanked by Pechenin and Gromyko for both attack and defense support. Their strategy focuses on a compact shape with a defensive low block to absorb Greece’s pressure. Attacking opportunities might come from swift counterattacks, but a lack of creative flair in midfield could be a setback. Coach Carlos Alos is expected to prioritize strengthening the defensive setup to address vulnerabilities seen in previous defeats.
Greece Team Analysis
Greece Recent Performance
Greece brings a mix of results in their qualifying campaign, with two wins but three losses. Their recent matches included a 3-1 loss to Denmark on October 12, 2025, and a defeat by Scotland with the same scoreline on October 9, 2025. Before that, they drew goalless and then lost 0-3 to Denmark on September 8, 2025. They also secured a resounding 5-1 win against Belarus on September 5, 2025, and a 4-0 friendly victory over Bulgaria on June 10, 2025. Greece has scored consistently with an average of 2.20 goals per game, although clean sheets have been rare outside the Bulgaria match. Check out this detailed England vs Greece preview and predictions for context on previous Greece performances against tough opponents.
| Date | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-12 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Denmark 3 – 1 Greece |
| 2025-10-09 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Scotland 3 – 1 Greece |
| 2025-09-08 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Greece 0 – 3 Denmark |
| 2025-09-05 | WCQ UEFA Group C | Greece 5 – 1 Belarus |
| 2025-06-10 | Friendly | Greece 4 – 0 Bulgaria |
Greece Key Players
Christos Tzolis leads Greece with his sharp scoring ability, netting twice in qualifying matches. Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos offers confidence at the back, supported by defense maestro Konstantinos Tsimikas, renowned for his attacking prowess from the backline. The midfield of Dimitrios Kourbelis, tasked with defensive duties, Christos Zafeiris, known for his creative spark, and Anastasios Bakasetas, key in linking plays, holds Greece’s tactical rhythm. Fotis Ioannidis is likely to be the main striker, looking to thrive on opportunities created by his midfield teammates. Defense becomes stronger with Lazaros Rota and center-back Konstantinos Koulierakis. Youngster Konstantinos Karetsas might see some play to add energy and inventive ideas in the midfield.
Greece Suspensions & Injuries
Notable injured players include Konstantinos Mavropanos, sidelined with a hamstring issue, expected back in late November 2025. Manolis Saliakas is coping with a groin injury, likely to return by early December 2025. Giannis Konstantelias faces a hamstring problem due back mid-December 2025, and Georgios Kyriakopoulos is recovering from an ankle injury, expected back shortly. There are no current suspensions reported.
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Konstantinos Mavropanos | Hamstring injury | Late November 2025 |
| Manolis Saliakas | Groin injury | Early December 2025 |
| Giannis Konstantelias | Hamstring injury | Mid December 2025 |
| Georgios Kyriakopoulos | Ankle injury | A few weeks |
Greece Tactics and Formation
Greece is expected to play a 4-2-3-1 setup, balancing solid defense and offense. The backline will see Rota and Koulierakis in action, alongside Tsimikas as the primary left-back. Dual defensive midfielders Kourbelis and Zafeiris undertake shielding roles while facilitating transitions. The attacking momentum is driven by Bakasetas, Tzolis, and possibly Karetsas, aiming to provide for Fotis Ioannidis, the main forward. Retaining possession and capitalizing on set-pieces are strategic focuses, with the coach looking to counter potential counter-attacks from Belarus’s expected low block.
Belarus vs Greece Head-to-Head Statistics
The recent encounters between Greece and Belarus stretch back to three games since 2006. Greece has won two out of these three matches, with the only loss coming in a friendly. The latest win was a 5-1 thrashing of Belarus in their September 2025 World Cup qualifier. Belarus once edged Greece 1-0 in a friendly on November 9, 2016, whereas a prior friendly in 2006 saw Greece claim a 1-0 victory. Greece’s average stands at 2.33 goals per head-to-head game against Belarus, who has scored in two of their three meets. Notably, Greece remains unbeaten when hosting Belarus, with Belarus’s win coming solely in a friendly context.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-05 | WCQ UEFA | Athens (Home for GRE) | Greece 5 – 1 Belarus |
| 2016-11-09 | Friendly | Athens | Greece 0 – 1 Belarus |
| 2006-02-28 | Friendly | Athens | Greece 1 – 0 Belarus |
Venue and Weather
The qualification match will be at the ZTE Arena, providing Belarus with a home advantage in [City Unspecified]. This facility, known for offering a pleasant experience for spectators, can seat around 12,000 fans. The weather forecast suggests cool temperatures from 5°C to 12°C, offering a relatively comfortable setting for the players. A light drizzle is possible, making the pitch slick and possibly advantageous for Greece’s quick-play style. Moderate wind could present challenges for aerial plays, which might test Belarus’s defense during set-pieces. Proper warm-up routines will help both teams avoid stiffness from the cold, allowing them to adjust their tactics to the weather and ensure they are game-ready.
