Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
All eyes will be on Jan Breydel Stadion when Club Brugge and Royale Union SG face each other in the Jupiler League derby on Friday. The reigning champions are not enjoying a season to remember, with the team sitting in 4th place in the standings, 21 points behind league leaders Genk, but they should not be written off just yet. Defender Denis Odoi misses out through suspension, while forward Ferran Jutgla is sidelined with a back injury.
The visitors, on the other hand, aim to keep their title hopes alive, but beating Club Brugge on the road is easier said than done. With no fresh injury worries to report, Karel Geraerts is unlikely to make changes to the team that outclassed Waregem 4-0 at the weekend. Anyhow, the share of spoils is on the horizon at “Jan Breydel”. In the first half of the season the two sides played out a 2-2 draw.
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.