Anderlecht vs Antwerp Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Anderlecht vs Antwerp on and what time does it start? Anderlecht vs Antwerp will take place on Saturday 5th August, 2023 – 12:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Anderlecht vs Antwerp? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Anderlecht vs Antwerp in the UK? Anderlecht vs Antwerp will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
ANDERLECHT
Under the management of former Brentford assistant manager Brian Riemer, Anderlecht finished the 2022/23 Jupiler Pro League season firmly in mid-table and the Brussels club started this season quite slowly, too. The hosts come into this on the back of a 2-0 defeat away to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on the opening day of the season, last weekend. They anticipate a tilt at the top four this season to break back into the end of season championship playoff round but there will have to be significant improvement based on last week.
ANTWERP
Royal Antwerp won the 2022/23 Belgian title in dramatic style on the final day of the campaign with Toby Alderweireld netting from outside of the area deep into second-half stoppage-time. The visitors begin this season as reigning champions for the first time in over 50 years and they began the defence of their title with an impressively resolute 1-0 win at home to Cercle Brugge, just a week after defeating Mechelen in the Belgian Super Cup on penalties, highlighting Mark van Bommel’s relatively reactionary style of football.
THE PREDICTED LINE-UPS
ANDERLECHT
The home team, under Brian Riemer, played an aggressive 4-3-3 last week but it didn’t work. Despite that, they are expected to keep a 4-3-3 system for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Dupe; Patris, Debast, Vertonghen, N’Diaye; Ashimeru, Diawara, Arnstad; Dreyer, Dolberg, Amuzu
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ANTWERP
Mark van Bommel’s preferred system in charge of Antwerp is a 4-2-3-1 and the champions are expected to keep the same team and system in place in Brussels.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Butez; De Laet, Alderweireld, van den Bosch, Bataille; Yusuf, Vermeeren; Kerk, Ondrejka, Balikwisha; Janssen
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Anderlecht could find themselves under immense pressure after they were comfortably beaten Union SG last week and now face the reigning champions. Riemer’s side will seek to get after Antwerp, especially in Brussels, but van Bommel’s side are more than capable of soaking up the pressure and they will be confident of controlling and containing their opposition before squeezing themselves out on top.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – ANTWERP TO WIN OR DRAW
