Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Standard Liege and Eupen take on each other at Maurice Dufrasnestadion in the Jupiler League round 30 curtain-raiser. The Red Devils continue with their old habit of producing much better showings at home than on the travels and you should know that they are eyeing their third consecutive win on home soil. Both Zinho Vanheusden and Merveilla Bokadi are sidelined with injuries, while duo Marlon Fossey – Laurent Henkinet will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
The Pandas, on the other hand, did well to beat St. Truiden at home, with Renaud Emond scoring the only goal of the match, but given their three-game losing run on the road, we predict that the hosts are going to pick up all three points from Saturday’s clash. Amadou Keita limped off with injury at the weekend, with Jerome Deom likely to step up, while Eupen defender Rune Paeshuyse serves a one-game ban.
Highlighted Team (St Liege):
Standard are a Belgian football club based in Liege. The club was founded back in 1898 and 11 years later they joined Belgian First League. Les Rouches (the Reds) immediately dropped to the lower leagues, but in 1921 they returned to the Belgian top flight. Standard won their first Belgian League trophy in 1958, but you should have in mind that they were level on points with second-placed Royal Antwerp.
In 2009 the Reds clinched their tenth domestic title, beating Anderlecht in the title game. Talented midfielder Axel Witsel scored the winner for Standard in the 1-0 triumph over their bitter rivals. Standard play their home games at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, the venue that was opened in 1909. The capacity of the stadium is 30 023.
Maurice Dufrasne was the club’s chairman from 1909 until 1931. Speaking of the club’s European success, Standard participated in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1982, losing to La Liga giants Barcelona in the title game.