Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Buoyed by a 3-1 win over Kortrijk, St Gilloise will be aiming to cement top position in the standings when they take on Standard Liege in an eagerly-awaited Jupiler League game. The league leaders aim to put icing on the cake on a very successful season and we are positive that they will stick to their attacking style of play. Even though all Kevin Mac Allister, Fedde Leysen, and Kevin Rodriguez continue to miss out with injuries, home win should be considered.
The Reds, on the other hand, produced an under-par performance in a 2-1 loss to Westerlo, which is yet another reason why we are going to back St Gilloise to their 20th triumph of the season. As for Standard, Hakim Sahabo is widely expected to replace Marlon Fossey in the starting XI, while both Zinho Vanheusden and Cihan Canak remain on the sidelines with injuries.
Highlighted Team (St Liege):
Standard are a Belgian football club based in Liege. The club was founded back in 1898 and 11 years later they joined Belgian First League. Les Rouches (the Reds) immediately dropped to the lower leagues, but in 1921 they returned to the Belgian top flight. Standard won their first Belgian League trophy in 1958, but you should have in mind that they were level on points with second-placed Royal Antwerp.
In 2009 the Reds clinched their tenth domestic title, beating Anderlecht in the title game. Talented midfielder Axel Witsel scored the winner for Standard in the 1-0 triumph over their bitter rivals. Standard play their home games at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, the venue that was opened in 1909. The capacity of the stadium is 30 023.
Maurice Dufrasne was the club’s chairman from 1909 until 1931. Speaking of the club’s European success, Standard participated in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1982, losing to La Liga giants Barcelona in the title game.