Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Charleroi play host to Antwerp at their Stade du Pays de Charleroi in the opening match of the new Jupiler League campaign. The Black and Whites secured the top flight survival without any difficulties last term, but they have bigger ambitions for the upcoming season. The club chiefs have signed the likes Noam Mayoka-Tika, Mardochee Nzita, Theo Defourny, Mohamed Kone, Check Keita, and Yacine Titraoui in the summer transfer window.
The Reds, on the other hand, head into the new season with new boss Jonas De Roeck. Given the number of high-profile players that joined Antwerp, including Denis Odoi, Tjaronn Chery, and Ayrton Costa, away win should definitely be considered. In their last meeting in the Belgian top flight Antwerp outclassed Charleroi 4-1 and we predict that history is going to repeat itself. Dutch striker Vincent Janssen is widely expected to lead the line for the visiting team.
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.