Antwerp vs RWDM Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Antwerp vs RWDM on and what time does it start? Antwerp vs RWDM will take place on Saturday 23rd September, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Antwerp vs RWDM? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Antwerp vs RWDM in the UK? Antwerp vs RWDM will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
ANTWERP
Under the management of Mark van Bommel, Royal Antwerp won their opening nine matches of last season before fading and then eventually winning their first Belgian league title in over 50 years deep into second-half stoppage-time on the final day of the season. They have qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history this season.
Their first UEFA Champions League group stage campaign began in midweek as they were beaten by five goals to nil by a Barcelona side that were rampant, under the management of Xavi. The defence of their title has started steadily but they will expect to improve as the campaign goes on, albeit playing a naturally reactive style of football.
RWDM
As is common with modern day football, Racing Daring White Molenbeek are just a member of a group of teams all under the ownership of the same person or group. RWDM, an affiliate of Crystal Palace, Botafogo and Olympique Lyonnais under John Textor, gained promotion to the top-flight last season and immediately appointed former Botafogo caretaker and Lyon assistant, Claudio Cacapa.
Cacapa began with a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Genk but that was not necessarily a sign of things to come for the Jupiler Pro League new boys. Their most recent outing, a 2-1 win at home to Cercle Brugge, means they begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in mid-table after three wins and a draw since that opening day loss.
THE TEAM NEWS
ANTWERP
Mark van Bommel’s Royal Antwerp have several injury doubts, such as Bjorn Engels and Seb Vines, as well as missing James Onyedjka fo this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Butez; Bataille, Alderweireld, Coulibaly, Wijndal; Vermeeren, Keita; Kerk, Ekkelenkamp, Balikwisha; Janssen
UNAVAILABLE: Ondrejka (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Vines (Injured), Corbanie (Injured), Verhulst (Injured), Engels (Injured)
RWDM
RWDM have pretty much a fully fit and available squad for this weekend but Claudio Cacapa is still dealing with injured Kylian Hazard, who has an ACL injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Defourny; Klaus, Le Joncour, Segovia; Mansoni, Dwomoh, Abe, Abner; Mercier; Biron, Gueye
UNAVAILABLE: Hazard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These two are the teams in the Jupiler Pro League that finished furthest apart last season. Royal Antwerp are the reigning Belgian champions, whilst Racing Daring White Molenbeek only just gained promotion to the top-flight. Whilst Antwerp have been unconvincing in the early stages of the defence of their title and RWDM have slightly overperformed so far, Antwerp are the firm favourites for this one, especially with their home advantage.
TIP: ANTWERP TO WIN
