Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
St Liege
Match Time & Date:
08/08/2021
13:30
Prediction: 1-0
Antwerp
Standard and Antwerp face each other at Stade Maurice Dufrasne in a highly-anticipated Jupiler League encounter. The Red Devils played out a 1-1 draw with Genk in their opener, but they did well to beat Waregem on the road at the weekend. Standard are after their first home win of the season, and they are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Saturday’s football match.
Burkina Faso international Abdoul Tapsoba is pushing for a start after scoring the winner in the triumph over Waregem, while Merveille Bope Bokadi is likely to miss the game with injury. Antwerp, on the other hand, continue life without Dieumerci Mbokani, who left the club in the summer transfer window. The visitors failed to impress in back-to-back defeats to Mechelen and Kortrijk, and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Standard’s party at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Highlighted Player (Mehdi Carcela-González):
Despite being born in Liege, Belgium on July 1, 1989, Mehdi Carcela represents Morocco on the international stage. Carcela initially chose to play for his country of birth Belgium, taking part in two friendlies with the Red Devils, but in February 2011 he made his debut with Morocco.
He represented Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, but the African side failed to make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament. Speaking of his club career, Mehdi Carcela played for the likes of Standard Liege, Anzhi, Benfica, Granada and Olympiakos (on loan). He currently plays for Standard Liege on loan from Granada.
Mehdi Carcela’s main position is right winger, but he is capable of playing as both attacking midfielder and left winger as well. In the 2008/2009 season the Morocco international won the Belgian Pro League with Standard and seven seasons later he repeated the success with Benfica as the Eagles won Primeira Liga. His preferred foot is left.
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.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
