The Walloon derby between Standard Liege and Charleroi headlines this weekends Belgian Pro League action. In Limburg, Genk welcome Sint Truiden for another derby on Sunday afternoon.
Beerschot v Anderlecht
Beerschot ended a run of successive defeats with a battling draw away to Westerlo. However, with just two points from 10 matches, they remain rooted to the bottom of the Pro League. The gap to safety is already at nine points, while Cercle Brugge in second bottom are already six points ahead of them. It will be a tough task on Friday night. Anderlecht looked set to announce Tottenham’s Ryan Mason as head coach before changing their minds and sticking with David Hubert. As the sides permanent head coach now, he will be expected to deliver a victory over Beerschot.
Westerlo v Club Brugge
Westerlo are enjoying a much better start to this campaign than 12 months ago. However, they welcome Club Brugge to Het Kuipje with just one win in five. Yet their opponents are on a similar run in all competitions. They will still expect to overcome a young Westerlo side, but it certainly won’t be easy. With AC Milan up next, Nicky Hayen’s side will hope to travel to Italy with some confidence.
Cercle Brugge v Dender
It may be early in the season, but this feels like a must win game for Cercle. They can put some of their slow start down to balancing European and domestic football, yet their 6-2 win over St Gallen in Europe showed how good they can be. Dender have impressed since being promoted, but Cercle should fancy themselves at home. The home side have a number of injury concerns, including goalkeeper Warleson who looks set to be out again.
Union St Gilloise v Gent
Gent will travel to Brussels with some confidence against a Union side that have not been at their fluent best this season. They are defending well, having lost just once in their last five in all competitions. The problem is clearly at the other end, with just four goals in those five, three of which came in one game. Gent are scoring well, but looked sub par in their recent clash with Sint Truiden. Omri Gandelman scored his first international goal during the break and has four in seven for the side this season.
Genk v Sint Truiden
Thorsten Fink welcomes his former club in the Limburg derby on Sunday for the lunchtime kick off. His side saw a seven game winning run come to an end against Kortrijk last time out. Sint Truiden come in unbeaten under Felice Mazzu and playing some entertaining football. Both sides should provide us with plenty of attacking football this weekend. Mazzu has the Canaries playing much better at both ends, while Fink had, until the defeat to Kortrijk, got Genk clicking going forward. This fixture last season ended 3-3.
OH Leuven v Antwerp
OH Leuven were more than happy to see the international break arrive. The side had shipped eight goals in two games, with Mechelen taking them apart last time out in a 5-0 thrashing. The side are under pressure, with just two wins this season. They have only lost three, with five draws. Antwerp, on the other hand, are one of the more entertaining sides this season. The side have won their last four, conceding just once and scoring 12. Tjaronn Chery has been the star. The 36-year-old has scored six and grabbed two assists in 10 games.
Standard Liege v Charleroi
Standard Liege’s Isaac Price scored a fantastic goal for Northern Ireland during the international break as part of his hat-trick. The home sides fans will hope for something similar in the derby against Charleroi. However, Standard have been incredibly goal shy this season, scoring just five goals in eight games. Charleroi have been more entertaining with 12 goals in 10 games. They have been much better in terms of performances and results than last season and will fancy their chances in Liege on Sunday evening.
KV Mechelen v Kortrijk
Mechelen have been in great form at home this season. They have won their last three, scoring 12 goals in the process. They have scored five on two occasions, with the talent of Nikola Storm and Rob Schoofs beginning to play a major role in this campaign. Storm has looked back to his best with three goals and three assists so far. Kortrijk ended an extended run without a win when they shocked Genk at home last time out. The side will hope to build on that win this weekend and will look to teenage striker Nacho Ferri to continue finding the net. The on loan Eintracht Frankfurt man scored twice last time out against Genk, giving him three goals this season.
