The Stats Zone
September 21 2023, 19:18 · Alex Lawes

Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League

Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League

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THE FACTS

When is Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk on and what time does it start? Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk will take place on Saturday 23rd September, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)

Where can I get tickets for Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information

Where can I watch Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk in the UK? Sporting Charleroi vs Kortrijk will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK

THE LOWDOWN

SPORTING CHARLEROI

Sporting Charleroi went back to their former manager Felice Mazzu mid-way through last season, after he had enjoyed a spell with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise before enduring a period of time with their Brussels rivals, Anderlecht. Charleroi were steady last season but they will be a little concerned about stagnating this season with the Jupiler Pro League being reduced from 18 to 16 teams.

They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting inside the bottom four and the relegation round playoffs for the end of the seasons after seven games of the 2023/24 campaign so far. They are yet to win with four draws and three defeats. Their most recent outing was a 4-2 defeat away to the very impressive Club Brugge at the weekend, following the international break.

KORTRIJK

Kortrijk began this season as one of the weakest, under the management of Edward Still. With some late summer signings, such as Sheyi Ojo and Isaak Davies both on loan from Cardiff, they have given themselves a chance of survival but they will be majorly concerned about the league’s reduction in side after struggling so much last season.

They come into this on the back of a surprise 2-2 draw at home to Anderlecht in their most recent outing, last weekend. They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting firmly in the bottom four and the end of season relegation playoff round places. They have collected just two points from their opening seven matches of the season.

THE TEAM NEWS

SPORTING CHARLEROI

Felice Mazzu’s Charleroi have two definite injuries for this weekend as well as a plethora of doubts, such as Jean Tshiend and Jan Van Cleemput.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Koffi; Bager, Marcq, Andreou; Rogelj, Ilaimaharitra, Zorgane, Dragsnes; Gulagon, Dabagh, Mbenza

UNAVAILABLE: Morioka (Injured), Bernier (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Knezevic (Injured), Tshiend (Injured), Van Cleemput (Injured), Benbouali (Injured)

KORTRIJK

Edward Still is dealing with two suspensions as well as a couple of injuries, most notably former Manchester City forward Thierry Ambrose who will be an absentee.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Vandenberghe; Mampassi, Silva, Wasinski; Malinov, Sissako, Bruno, De Neve; Ojo, Avenatti, Kadri

UNAVAILABLE: Mehsattou (Suspended), Kana (Suspended), Ambrose (Injured), Challouk (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Henen (Injured)

THE PREDICTION

Both of these sides are in a battle against finishing in the bottom four this season. That will be a surprise for Sporting Charleroi, who would have expected to continually improve under Felice Mazzu and even push towards a top eight finish. They take on a Kortrijk side, though, that are in desperate form down at the bottom end of the table. With both sensing an opportunity for three important points, it could be quite an entertaining encounter with both teams scoring seeming likely.

TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE