RWDM vs Cercle Brugge Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is RWDM vs Cercle Brugge on and what time does it start? RWDM vs Cercle Brugge will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for RWDM vs Cercle Brugge? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch RWDM vs Cercle Brugge in the UK? RWDM vs Cercle Brugge will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
RWDM
Racing Daring White Molenbeek are under the four-club ownership model of John Textor, alongside Olympique Lyonnais, Crystal Palace and Botafogo. They gained promotion back to the top-flight last season and decided to appoint former Newcastle defender, Lyon assistant manager and Botafogo caretaker Claudio Cacapa as their new manager for their top-flight campaign.
They were annihilated by four goals to nil by Genk on the opening day of the season before a steady improvement. They have also suffered a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Club Brugge so far this season but they have managed two victories and a draw in their other three matches against opposition that are more along the lines of RWDM’s level for this season.
CERCLE BRUGGE
Under the management of former assistant, Miron Muslic, Cercle Brugge finished in the top eight of the 2022/23 Belgian Jupiler Pro League. De Vereniging played in the end of season UEFA Europa Conference League playoff places and they are expected to challenge towards the top end of the Belgian table once again this season.
They come into this on the back of a 2-1 win over Westerlo in their most recent outing a couple of weeks ago, prior to the international break, that continued their impressive start to the campaign. Cercle Brugge began with a slender 1-0 loss away to Royal Antwerp on the opening day of the season before going on to win four of their next five matches as they sit towards the top end of the table.
THE TEAM NEWS
RWDM
Claudio Cacapa will be able to name an unchanged side for this weekend’s encounter but he remains without Kylian Hazard, who suffered an ACL injury over the summer.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Defourny; El Ouahdi, Klaus, Segovia, Le Joncour, Abner; Dwomoh, Mercier, De Sart; Biron, Gueye
UNAVAILABLE: Hazard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
CERCLE BRUGGE
Miron Muslic are without a couple of players for this weekend’s encounter with Abu Francis definitely out injured and Edgaras Utkus is a doubt, too.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Warleson; Popovic, Ravych, Daland; Siquet, Lopes, Van der Bruggen, Semedo; Somers, Gboho; Denkey
UNAVAILABLE: Francis (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Utkus (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
The pre-season expectations of these two sides differ quite a lot with the home team expected to battle against finishing in the bottom four and the end of season relegation round, whilst the visitors will aim to challenge inside the top eight and the European playoff places come May. RWDM have pulled off some impressive results so far, only losing to two of last season’s top four. Cercle Brugge have, though, also began well and will fall into the category of ‘tough game’ for the hosts. Backing the visitors appears good value.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – CERCLE BRUGGE TO WIN OR DRAW
