Club Brugge v Zulte-Waregem
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Friday 5th August – 7:45PM KO
The first Pro League fixture of August sees reigning champions Club Brugge looking to bounce back from a tough defeat last time out against Eupen. Carl Hoefkens’ side looked really poor and failed to get back into the game even after their hosts were reduced to 10-men when Gary Magnee was sent off in the second half.
Zulte-Waregem are the visitors, the West Flanders side arriving off the back of a tough 1-0 loss to Antwerp. They were giving as good as they got until Antwerp got the opener in the second half but were unable to force an equaliser as their hosts smothered the game and prevented Waregem from creating any real chances.
Waregem did however demonstrate an attacking threat, and were able to showcase it more fully in the opening game against Seraing which they absolutely dominated. They have averaged 1.7xG through their opening two games, whilst Club Brugge have averaged 1.5xG. Brugge’s defence has been a lot more suspect than previous seasons, with today’s hosts yet to keep a Pro League clean sheet this season.
Waregem have averaged 15 shots per game, whilst Brugge have averaged 14, with the two sides managing 6 and 5.5 shots on target per 90 minutes. Brugge have seen both sides score in both of their opening fixtures, and I would expect that trend to continue here. Waregem were amongst the league’s top scorers last season, and new manager Mbaye Leye has demonstrated that they can tighten up the leaky defence without losing that attacking threat.
I would of course expect Brugge to win this game, as you would with the majority of their fixtures, but they have not looked up to their usual standard yet this season. Perhaps the confirmation of the transfer of Charles de Ketelaere will allow the club to move forwards without that saga hanging over them, though I am also concerned by the decision to allow Stanley N’Soki to leave, the only centre-back who has started all three competitive fixtures. They are already having to play right-back Clinton Mata in their back three, and any injuries would require a youth player to make the step up.
Brugge need to reinvest some of the money they have received for these transfers, as their defence is not up to the standard they have set in previous years. For that reason, I expect that they will be breached again today, and that both sides will find the net in this one.
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.73 on Betfair (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Genk v Eupen
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Saturday 6th August – 3:00PM KO
Saturday Racing Genk welcome the surprising Eupen on matchday 3 of the Jupiler Pro League. Racing Genk’s offensive players are in demand on the transfer market because of their excellent preseason. Genk saw their speedy winger Ito leave for Stade Reims this week, while last year’s Golden Boot and top scorer Paul Onuachu was on the radar of Atletico Madrid but has to start the season gently with an adductor strain. At the central striker position, Cyriel Dessers is therefore expected in the centre to play 90 minutes again. He can also rely on interest from larger European leagues, partly due to his fantastic last season with Feyenoord. Despite these events Racing Genk remain focused on playing collective attacking football, with emerging backs and combination football on the opponent’s half of the pitch. Dessers scored on matchday 1 against Club Brugge and on matchday 2 against Standard. He seems to be continuing the form of last season. Mike Trésor is also developing as a winger.
AS Eupen stunted last week by beating champions Club Brugge at home with 2-1. All goals fell in the first half. The victory was not undeserved, Bruges hardly had any chances and Eupen created most of them. Up front, they can count on sniper Smail Prevljak, who needs little time and space to create goal danger, and who can also weigh on a defence. The midfield has some clever passers like Stef Peeters, who can launch players on the counter.
These two attacking teams have not missed their season start and have strikers who are in form. Therefore, we expect them to play free-flowing football and there should be goal opportunities at both ends.
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.62 on Betfair (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Kortrijk v Sint-Truiden
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Saturday 6th August – 5:15PM KO
The second victory in 2022… That felt like a relief for KV Kortrijk. With ten men, they ended up taking home the three points from Seraing, and manager Karim Belhocine got some breathing space.
You would start scratching your hair for less. After twenty minutes the ball was on the penalty spot and Belhocine had to thank goalkeeper Ilic for the first time. Moments later he saw Benchaib go to the dressing room with a red card. With character – the performance was certainly not what it should have been – Kortrijk still grabbed three points. Kortrijk took 6 points out of 42 at the end of last season, so coach Belhocine is the coach who feels the most pressure, despite the win against relegation favourite Seraing.
Sint-Truiden’s season began with a tricky double-header against Union and AA Gent. Lying on the counter, Bernd Hollerbach’s team drew both times. A success for a team that in the first place tries to secure the title. Hollerbach’s style is well-known, physical no-nonsense football. Typical example from the previous matchday: Christian Bruls was substituted after only 18 minutes. His grandfather had just passed away and Hollerbach said his mind was not on the game. In a positive sense, the team’s fighting spirit was noticeable. On the offensive side, the key players still need to get in shape though. Kagawa and Bruno lack match rhythm, but they are top players in terms of their individual qualities.
We expect a closed game with plenty of duelling power. With two teams and coaches who value physicality, this could be a match with limited goal attempts.
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Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals, 1.75 on Betfair (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Mechelen v Union Saint-Gilloise
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Saturday 6th August – 7:45PM KO
The final game of Saturday’s Pro League action sees third-placed Union Saint-Gilloise make the short trip north from the capital to Mechelen. The hosts have opened this season with two defeats, something which does not accurately reflect their performances so far. Their opening fixture against Antwerp was much closer than the 2-0 scoreline suggests, whilst last weekend’s loss to Oostende mostly falls on the shoulders of poor finishing, having taking 10 more shots than their opponents, but only finding the target on 7 occasions.
They have dominated the ball but been unable to do anything with it for the most part, and whilst they have been achieving roughly 1xG per game, their wasteful shooting does suggest this may be a case of prioritising quantity over quality. If they can be more patient with their play and willing to work better opportunities they will surely turn their results around, but I am yet to see much evidence of this occurring.
Mechelen are clearly missing the goals and creativity of Hugo Cuypers, signed by Genk and not replaced earlier in the transfer window. Union meanwhile, whilst weaker than last season, still look to be comfortably a play-off side. Despite their strong start, I do imagine today will see a drop-off, with nearly the entire starting XI playing 90 minutes on Tuesday night in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Rangers. They have a second leg on Tuesday night, away at Ibrox, making it even more likely that players will be rested.
Mechelen then should have a chance to demonstrate that they are a better side than their results have suggested, facing either a tired, or heavily rotated Union side. They have not played especially badly in either of their two games so far, and this is a real opportunity to take points from a side they might not otherwise expect to.
The uncertainty surrounding the squad that Union will put out means it is more difficult to predict a winner, but it is certain that they will not be in the same condition they have been for the first two games, and that leads me to believe that they will struggle somewhat, and Mechelen will find a way to score. I do expect that they will also fail to keep a clean sheet however, and that both sides will finish the game having gotten on the scoresheet at least once.
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.53 on Betfair (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
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