Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Club Brugge play host to Eupen at their Jan Breydel Stadion on day 25 of the current Jupiler League campaign. Club Brugge did well to beat St Gilloise in the Belgian Cup on Wednesday evening, meaning that they are high on confidence ahead of the visit of Eupen. Keep in mind, though, that all Igor Thiago, Hans Vanaken, and Hugo Vetlesen are banned for the match.
The Pandas, on the other hand, failed to impress in back-to-back losses to Charleroi and Mechelen. Eupen have been struggling in front of goal of late and even though Club Brugge head into Saturday’s encounter with a severely-weakened squad, we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. Midfielder Jerome Deom is banned for the match, while all Bartosz Bialek, Teddy Alloh, and Abdul Manaf Nurudeen are major doubts and the trio will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
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 (Club Brugge):
Founded in 1891, Belgium giants Club Brugge are one of the most decorated football clubs in the country. Also known as Blauw-Zwart due to their Blue and Black colours, Club Brugge have been crown champions of Belgium on 14 occasions which is second to Anderlecht.
Through their long-lasting history Club Brugge have enjoyed fair amount of European success.to this day in football history Club Brugge holds the European record number of consecutive participation in the UEFA Europa league – 20. The Blauw-Zwart have reached two European finals and two semi-finals so far. What is more, Club Brugge are the only Belgian side ever to play in the final of the European Cup so far, losing to Liverpool in the 1978 season.
Two years prior, Club Brugge lost the 1976 UEFA Cup Final to the same rivals. Club Brugge play their home games at the Jan Breydel Stadium, which is also home to city rivals Cercle Brugge. The two sides form a formidable rivalry contested in the Bruges Derby.