Standard Liege vs RWDM Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Standard Liege vs RWDM on and what time does it start? Standard Liege vs RWDM will take place on Saturday 2nd September, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Standard Liege vs RWDM? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Standard Liege vs RWDM in the UK? Standard Liege vs RWDM will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
STANDARD LIEGE
Over the past few seasons, two of Belgium’s so-called ‘Big Three’ have been struggling and underperforming with both Standard Liege and Anderlecht failing to live up to their reputation. Ronny Deila reignited something in Liege last season as they qualified for the top eight but he eventually departed and joined arch-rivals Club Brugge towards the end of the season, leaving Standard in the lurch.
They have begun the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League campaign with no wins in their opening five matches so far. Firstly, they were beaten by a goal to nil by Sint-Truiden on the opening day and have since suffered defeats to both Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Cercle Brugge, whilst drawing with Charleroi and Kortrijk.
RWDM
As part of the John Textor ownership model, who also has a stake in Crystal Palace, Olympique Lyonnais and Botafogo, Racing Daring White Molenbeek may be a little concerned with how they are currently being run but actually gained promotion to the top-flight last season. They have since dispensed with the model that got them up and Claudio Cacapa, formerly Lyon’s assistant coach and then caretaker of Botafogo last year, is in charge.
RWDM began the season with a real ‘welcome to the top-flight’ as they were annihilated by four goals to nil at home to a Genk side that have since struggled. Since then, though, they have enjoyed back-to-back victories against Oud-Heverlee Leuven and Mechelen before, once again, being demolished by a leading contender towards the top, losing 7-1 to Club Brugge a couple of weeks ago, in their most recent outing.
THE TEAM NEWS
STANDARD LIEGE
Carl Hoefkens will remain without key forward Renaud Emond due to injury and they will also likely still be missing Stipe Perica, albeit he has returned to light training.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Bodart; Vanheusden, Bope, Ngoy; Dewaele, Balikwisha, O’Neill, Price, Donnum; Dragus, Kanga
UNAVAILABLE: Emond (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Perica (Injured)
RWDM
Claudio Cacapa will likely name an unchanged side for this weekend’s trip to Liege but he will be without Kylian Hazard with the Belgian attacker injured.
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Defourny; El Ouahdi, Diallo, Klaus, Le Joncour, Abner; Da Silva, Dwomoh, De Sart, Rikelmi; Biron
UNAVAILABLE: Hazard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These are two sides that could well struggle down at the bottom end of the table. They have two very different reputations with Standard Liege one of the biggest clubs in the country and RWDM newly formed as well as newly-promoted. Whenever RWDM have faced a side with supposed quality this season, in Genk and Club Brugge, they have come severely unstuck. They shouldn’t take a battering in this one but it would be surprising, especially with their home advantage, if Standard didn’t finally come out on top.
TIP: STANDARD LIEGE TO WIN
