Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
There will be fireworks when Club Brugge and Antwerp lock horns in the Jupiler League derby on Sunday. The reigning champions made a slow star to the season, with the team losing to both Standard Liege and Genk, while sharing the spoils with Mechelen. The Blauw-Zwart are desperate to pick up all three points from the match and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Antwerp. Denmark international Andreas Skov Olsen should keep his place in the starting XI after scoring a brace in the last league match, while there are no fresh injury concerns in the home team.
The Reds, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence following a thrilling 6-1 win over St. Truiden. As the visitors are likely to stick to their attacking style of play, we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. A man to watch in the away team will be winger Jacob Ondrejka, who scored a hat-trick in the crushing of the Canaries.
Highlighted Player (Hans Vanaken):
Hans Vanaken is a Belgian footballer who was born in Neerpelt on August 24, 1992. Hans Vanaken is a product of PSV football academy, joining the club at the age of 10, but in 2008 he joined Lommel United. The Belgian midfielder continued wearing the green shirt at senior level, scoring 21 goals in 80 appearances for the club in the league.
In 2013 he moved to Lokeren and after spending two seasons at Daknamstadion, he signed a deal with famous Belgian team Club Brugge. Vanaken has established himself as one of the team’s key players and he is likely to play an important role in the Jan Breydel Stadium outfit in the 2019/2020 Europa League season.
His main position is attacking midfielder, but he is used as both central midfielder and left midfielder as well. He has a contract with Club Brugge until June 30, 2024.
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.