Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Antwerp
Match Time & Date:
26/05/2024
18:30
Prediction: 1-1
Anderlecht
After failing to regain the Jupiler League trophy, Anderlecht will be aiming to finish the season in top two when they take on Antwerp in the decider. The capital club must be low on confidence following a 1-0 loss to Club Brugge, which is probably the main reason why away win should not be considered. Experienced midfielder Thomas Delaney is back from suspension, while all Majeed Ashimeru, Jan Vertonghen, and Thorgan Hazard remain in the recovery room.
The hosts, on the other hand, aim to make amends for the unsuccessful Jupiler League campaign. As both sides will adopt an attack-minded approach in Sunday’s showdown, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. Antwerp midfielder continue to miss out with injury, while both Jean Butez and Bjorn Engels are major doubts.
Highlighted Player (Jan Vertonghen):
After spending four years at Ajax, in 2006 Jan Vertonghen signed a loan deal with RKC Waalwijk. The left-footed defender spent one season at Mandemakers Stadion and he returned to Ajax for the 2007/2008 season. The highly rated footballer, who is capable of playing as both centre back and left back, signed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur on 8 July, 2012 and he has been playing for the Premier League outfit ever since.
The Belgian defender scored four goals for the Spurs in the 2012/2013 Premier League season and he made 34 league appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit back then. In the 2015/2016 season Jan Vertonghen and his teammates were producing brilliant displays with Tottenham, but the Spurs eventually finished the campaign in third place in the standings.
Speaking of his international career, Vertonghen made it to both World Cup (2014) and Euro (2016) quarter-finals with the Belgian national team. Jan was born on 24 April, 1987 and his shirt number is 5.
Highlighted Team (Antwerp):
Founded back in 1880, Antwerp is one of the oldest clubs in Belgium. The Great Old welcome their rivals at Bosuilstadion, the venue with the capacity of 16,144 people. Antwerp are well known for their red home kits, with the team wearing white shirts and white jerseys when playing on the travels.
Over the years Antwerp have been trying to close the gap between Belgian giants Anderlecht and Club Brugge, but they have yet to win the title in the recent history. The Great Old clinched their first domestic trophy back in 1929, with the team repeating the success two years later. The third and the fourth titles came in 1944 and 1957 respectively.
Beerschot A.C. are considered the club’s fiercest rivals, but they have a rivalry with Club Brugge as well. The club chiefs had a long-term partnership with famous English club Manchester United in the past, with Antwerp taking young footballers on loan to Old Trafford.
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