The situation in the Belgian Championship changes after every new round, but it is clear that the biggest derby at this time in Belgium is this duel between Anderlecht and Club Brugge. The host is a current champion who wants to defend the title, but Club Brugge is the current leader on the table and they want to take over that title. They have six points more, and that is a nice advantage, with the proviso that they had nine points more two rounds ago, but then Club Brugge lost in the last round and Anderlecht celebrated. Their first mutual duel this season in Brussels ended without goals.
Anderlecht is not giving up from defending the title and after being defeated in the first round of the playoffs for the champions by Genta at home, while Club Brugge celebrated, it seemed it was unattainable nine points of backlog. However, Anderlecht has celebrated in the last round away against Charleroi, while Club Brugge lost all-in at the start, with the possibility to further decrease the backlog with a possible victory.
Coach Vanhaezebrouck still has to make a lot of improvisation with the team, as there are a lot of injured players, and defender Spajic is now questionable, which is a new blow to the already decimated last line. That is why Dendoncker moved from the midfield to defence, and Markovic jumped in the starting lineup. Josue Sa might now play instead of Spajic.
Probable lineups RSC Anderlecht: Sels – Dendoncker, Obradovic, Josue Sa – Saelemaekers, Gerkens, Kums, Saief – Markovic, Gorioka – Teodorczyk
The mood oscillates at Club Brugge, and after 12 points more after the regular part of the championship, they have six points now due to the rules that carry half of the points for playoffs. It was a good start and the minimum and fairly good win over Genk they came to a total of had a total of nine points with the outcome of the other matches, while they in the last round lost to Gent and now have six points more again. They were in the situation to exclude Gent from the title fight in that match, and now they could do that again to the current champion Anderlecht. However, there may be a defeat, which would then complicate things a lot.
It is evident that they are not in the best rhythm because they have achieved the last three wins with one goal difference, before the mentioned defeat by Gent. Already in the second minute they received a goal and they were not able to return to the match, and they became more defensive than against Genk, because Touba replaced Limbombe on the left back, while Refael was a starter instead of Wesley. It is difficult to say whether the coach will change something now but they could be a little more defensive.
Probable lineups Club Brugge: Vermeer – Denswil, Mechele, Mitrovic – Cools, Vormer, Nakamba, Vanaken, Touba – Refaelov – Diaby
Both teams want to avoid defeat in this match, but the host is under big pressure because they have six points less. They also have more problems with absences, but tradition is on their side and we believe that they are closer to victory.
Pick: Asian Handicap 0
Anderlecht 2.38 - 138/100 @1XBet