Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
A highly-anticipated football game between Antwerp and Standard Liege will open Saturday’s program in the Jupiler League round 14. Antwerp failed to upset Porto in the Champions League round 4 on Tuesday, but the bookies see them as favourites to beat the Red Devils in front of home fans. Experienced defender Toby Alderweireld remains on the sidelines with injury, alongside Jean Butez, Anthony Valencia, and Mandela Keita, while Jacon Ondrejka is a major doubt and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Standard, on the other hand, dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Mechelen at the weekend and given their difficulties on the travels, we are tempted to place out bets on the title holders. To make things even more complicated for the visiting team, defender Marlon Fossey limped off with injury in the last league match, with Gilles Dewaele likely to step up.
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.