Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Belgian Pro League clash between Royal Antwerp and Anderlecht, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Royal Antwerp and Anderlecht draw the curtain on their respective 2023-24 Belgian Pro League campaigns with a meeting at the Bosuilstadion on Sunday.
The hosts will be keen to snap a five-game losing streak this weekend, while their visitors seek to bounce back from a first defeat in five matches last time out.
Match preview
© Reuters
Royal Antwerp saw their downward spiral hit a new low as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against K.R.C Genk at the Cegeka Arena on Monday evening.
Mark van Bommel‘s men fell behind to Andi Zeqiri‘s opener two minutes shy of the half-hour mark and that was enough to decide a close affair.
As a result, The Reds remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship group in the Belgian Pro League table and their European dreams are over now.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are without defeat in the last eight editions of this fixture, winning five of them.
Winless in five straight matches in front of their fans, Sunday’s hosts have been largely underwhelming on home turf of late and set out to get themselves back on track.
© Reuters
Anderlecht came away empty-handed from their meeting against Club Brugge which ended in a tight 1-0 loss at Lotto Park on Sunday afternoon.
Ghanaian defender Denis Odoi opened the scoring in the 29th minute to settle matters despite a late second-half rally from Brian Riemer‘s men.
Having managed 46 points so far, Les Mauve et Blanc sit third in the league standings, level on points with Union SG and three shy of Club Brugge.
Seeking to pick up what would be a first away triumph since early March, Sunday’s visitors have it all to do as they seek to make one final push at being crowned champions.
Royal Antwerp Belgian Pro League form:
Anderlecht Belgian Pro League form:
Team News
Twenty-nine-year-old Bjorn Engels is still facing an extended spell on the sidelines for Royal Antwerp due to a damaged achilles tendon.
Jean Butez also misses out for the hosts this weekend due to a broken hand, while defender Kobe Corbanie continues to nurse a hamstring injury.
Thorgan Hazard is out of contention for Anderlecht through a knee injury, while fellow Dutchman Jan Vertonghen is yet to recuperate from a groin problem.
Majeed Ashimeru has missed the visitors’ last two games with a calf problem but the midfielder is closing in on a return to first-team action.
Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup:
Lammens; Wijndal, Van den Bosch, Alderweireld, De Laet; Keita, Yusuf; Balikwisha, Ekkelenkamp, Ondrejka; Ilenikhena
Anderlecht possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Sardella, Debast, Gattoni, Augustinsson; Verschaeren, Rits, Stroeykens; Dreyer, Dolberg, Amuzu
We say: Royal Antwerp 1-2 Anderlecht
Royal Antwerp have endured a shambolic defense to their title and have little to play for this weekend. We are backing Anderlecht to heap more misery on their hosts and come away with maximum points in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.