Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Antwerp
Match Time & Date:
30/07/2023
07:30 AM
Prediction: 2-0
Cercle Brugge
Reigning champions Antwerp take on Cercle Brugge at the start of the new Jupiler League campaign. Antwerp did well to beat Mechelen in the Super Cup final, meaning that they are high on confidence ahead of Sunday’s encounter. Summer signing George Ilenikhena is pushing for a start after coming as a substitute at the weekend, while fellow new recruit Jacob Ondrejka should keep his place in the starting XI. Left-back Gaston Avila is banned for the match.
Cercle Brugge, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 7-2 loss to Lille in preseason, which is probably the main reason why home win should be considered. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Japan forward Ayase Ueda, who scored 22 goals in the 2022/2023 Jupiler League campaign. In their last meeting at the venue Antwerp defeated Cercle Brugge 2-1.
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.
Southampton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Manchester United
Napoli
AS Roma
Leganes
Real Madrid
Lazio 
Bologna 
Nice 
Strasbourg 
