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Belgian Jupiler Pro League: Round 3 Preview
After a disappointing defeat in Finland for the national team, the domestic calendar is back in full swing...
| Bet: | Returns: | Hannover 96 £16.00 | Draw £36.00 | Club Brugge KV £50.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hannover 96 £16.00 | Draw £35.00 | Club Brugge KV £48.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hannover 96 £16.15 | Draw £35.00 | Club Brugge KV £50.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hannover 96 £16.70 | Draw £37.50 | Club Brugge KV £50.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hannover 96 £15.50 | Draw £36.00 | Club Brugge KV £56.50 |
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Aug 13, 2010 2:45:00 PM
By Gary Niblock
| Standard Liege | Lokeren |
| Westerlo | Zulte Waregem |
| KV Mechelen | Lierse SK |
| RSC Anderlecht | Germinal Beerschot |
| Kortrijk | Sint-Truiden |
| KAA Gent | Eupen |
| KRC Genk | Charleroi |
| Cercle Brugge | Club Brugge |
Standard Liege - Lokeren
It has been another eventful start to a season for Standard with their new Egyptian striker Emad Meteb going AWOL almost as soon as he had finally received permission to travel to Belgium. Les Rouches were also denied permission last week to hand a debut to former Ajax and Sevilla winger Tom De Mul, however he will finally take the field tomorrow. Lokeren, with one point from two games, are hoping to sign another former Ajax man in Wesley Sonck, but even were he to join Sporting the odds would still be very much on a resurgent Standard side to pick up maximum points.
Prediction : 3-0
Westerlo - Zulte Waregem
Earlier in the summer, Essevee midfielder Khaleem Hyland was linked with a move to Juventus but, having chosen to stay in Belgium, he's impressed so far this term with two goals in as many games. However, he picked up an injury in the defeat to Mechelen and is out for a fortnight. With a narrow defeat to title-chasing Gent and a narrow win over rank outsiders Eupen, this game should be a better barometer for Westerlo as to their prospects this season. Though without Jaime Ruiz, they will fancy their chances of at least a point against a hitherto winless Zulte side.
Prediction: 1-1
KV Mechelen - Lierse SK
Under new management in the shape of Marc Brys, the Yellow and Reds are the early pacesetters and in good shape ahead of the local derby against newly promoted Lierse SK. Tomas Radzinski's side are pointless thus far and the club are about to swoop for young South African Daylon Claasen in a bid to spark an upturn in fortunes. Winger Tom Soetaers is a major doubt for the home side and though pride will spur the visitors on, Malinwa should make it three from three.
Prediction : 3-1
RSC Anderlecht - Germinal Beerschot
They say sport is a great leveller and it has certainly proven to be the case for the seemingly impregnable champions. Last week's shock scoreless draw away to Charleroi has been followed by Mbark Boussoufa blurting out that he wants a move to Stuttgart. Not the ideal preparation for a vital Champions League qualifier in Belgrade on Wednesday. In Antwerp all the talk is surrounding 15-year-old striker Omar Diouck, already a Belgian international at under-17 level, who will sign his first professional contract in November. Meanwhile, new coach Glen De Boeck is preparing to welcome Adnan Custovic from Gent, though he will likely not complete any impending transfer in time to line up in Brussels tomorrow.
Prediction: 2-0
Kortrijk - Sint-Truiden
Two of the surprise packages of last season shape up at the Guldensporenstadion with the sides having experienced contrasting fortunes against Club Brugge. Kortrijk pulled off a major shock in round 1 with a narrow 1-0 win while De Kanarien were more than aware of the wounded tiger a week later, being hammered 4-1. Hein Vanhaezebrouck's side will want revenge for their twin defeats last year to Sint-Truiden but the visitors can call upon Tom Caluwe, the playmaker returning to Europe from Qatar.
Prediction: 2-1
KAA Gent - Eupen
Francky Dury is not a man easily shaken given his previous career in the police, however he will have been hit by Gent's crushing home defeat last week at home to Genk. Unfortunately for newly-promoted Eupen, De Buffalo's, with Yassine El Ghanassy in confident mood, look set to take it out on the side from the small German-speaking community in the east of Belgium. The hosts will be without Christophe Lepoint, who suffered a serious leg injury for the national team against Finland and will be out for between two and three months. Nigerian John Ogu should make his debut for the visitors and at 192cm, weighing 84kg, he should add some bite to their midfield.
Prediction: 3-0
KRC Genk - Charleroi
Genk have been tipped by many to rally back to the right end of the standings this year and they laid down a serious marker when they demolished Gent away from home 4-0 last week. Young attacker Kevin De Bruyne has been linked with a transfer, most notably to Fulham and Anderlecht but he is currently concentrating on impressing for De Smurfen. Charleroi have ground out two draws so far and Jacky Mathijssen has injected much-needed confidence into Les Zebres. This could be a tricky game for the hosts to navigate, especially with an eye on FC Porto next week.
Prediction: 2-1
Cercle Brugge - Club Brugge
Another derby match this weekend and this time in Brugge, perhaps more famous for that film than either of their footballing sides it must be said. However, Club are serious contenders for the title and will be looking to get one over on their less illustrious neighbours, with whom they share a stadium. Prodigal son Nabil Dirar should make his first start of the season for Blauw-Zwart after having boycotted the club's open day and been relegated to the reserves, not for the first time it must be said. Cercle have drawn both games so far, but with Dominic Foley up front they will always carry a goalscoring threat.
Prediction: 1-2
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