Union v KV Kortrijk
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Saturday 13th August – 7:45PM KO
Union hosts KV Kortrijk on Saturday 13 August. After their disappointing performance in the Champions League preliminary round against Glasgow Rangers, the Brussels side will first of all try to get back to their best football again. Against Rangers, a 2-0 lead from the home game was squandered, becoming 3-0 at Ibrox. This game will stick in the mind for a while and guys like Van der Heyden and goalkeeper Moris will have to do some mental patching up after their blunders.
It will be interesting to see Kortrijk play their preferred wait-and-see football for the first time this season. The awkwardness was visible against Seraing and Sint-Truiden, where none of the sides actually wanted to have possession. On the first matchday against OHL, Kortrijk also started too enthusiastically. They will try to avoid this mistake against Union. With speedy players like Selemani, Bruno and Ocansey, they should be able to create counters on Union’s fatigued defence. At centre forward, they are still looking for a strong striker on the transfer market. Avenatti is close to returning but the deal is not yet done.
At 1.62, a +2 Handicap for Kortrijk is an interesting bet. Union’s excellent home record, along with Kortrijk’s goal-scoring prowess, drove this prediction. Tuesday’s game against Rangers, however, dealt Union a physical blow, and that physicality will be exactly what Kortrijk brings to the pitch. That’s why we don’t see Kortrijk losing by 2 goals or more. Both in case of a tactical low scoring game and in case of an attractive match, we expect Kortrijk to be able to resist the Brussels team.
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Prediction: Kortrijk +2, 1.62 on Betfair (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
AS Eupen v Antwerp
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Sunday 14th August – 4:00PM KO
Eupen’s Jupiler Pro League campaign begins with four difficult fixtures. After Charleroi, Club Brugge and Genk, leader Antwerp comes to visit. Bernd Storck’s team did not do badly in the first three games, but returned empty-handed from both Charleroi and Genk. The home game against Club Brugge ended in victory, and now they will try to play the same football against the other big title favourite, Antwerp. Eupens’ style of play consists of quick turnover football, which is most effective against opponents that emphasise high pressure, such as Club Brugge and Genk. Antwerp however, are used to a different way of pressing. If Eupen have learned from their mistakes against Charleroi, they will have to adapt their plan offensively. This will be a tough job in any case. In the box, Eupen are too dependent on striker Smail Prevljak, who is facing a world-class man-marker in Toby Alderweireld.
Antwerp started the season superbly. Their preparation was already hopeful and their power on the transfer market is unprecedented for a Belgian club. They look set to make a run at the title this season. After three match days, they are the only team with 9 points. Up front, winger Balikwisha is on a breakthrough season, while at centre forward, there is wealth with goalscorer Frey and top acquisition Vincent Janssen. The Conference League qualifier against Lillestrøm was won convincingly. The return game at home on Thursday was soon in a deadlock, allowing manager Mark Van Bommel to take key players off early.
It is expected that Antwerp will showcase their excellent form and keep the maximum of points. The class difference between them and Eupen is big enough at the moment to show confidence in an Antwerp victory.
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Prediction: Antwerp to Win, 1.73 on Betfair (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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