Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Standard Liege will look to record their first league win since November 25, 2023 when they take on Leuven in the Jupiler League round 25. The Red Devils do not seem to be at their sharpest, but Saturday’s game could be the turning point for the home team. Kawabe is widely expected to replace Alzate in the starting XI, while midfielder Aiden O’Neill is back from international duty.
Leuven, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Genk and Westerlo. As the visitors have been showings signs of improvement offensively, both teams to score betting option should be considered. The likes of Sofian Kiyine, Thibault Viletinck, and Alexandro Calut are major doubts and the trio will be assessed ahead of the kick-off. You should bear in mind that both sides managed to find the net in each of their last six meetings in the Belgian elite division.
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.