Sporting Charleroi vs Antwerp Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Sporting Charleroi vs Antwerp on and what time does it start? Sporting Charleroi vs Antwerp will take place on Saturday 21st October, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Sporting Charleroi vs Antwerp? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Sporting Charleroi vs Antwerp in the UK? Sporting Charleroi vs Antwerp will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
SPORTING CHARLEROI
Mid-way through last season, former Anderlecht and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise boss Felice Mazzu returned to Sporting Charleroi. They were in mid-table and ended up firmly ensconced in mid-table with the end of season reduction in teams from 18 to 16 teams increasing the likelihood of a team like Charleroi being involved in a relegation battle.
It had been a shocking start to the campaign for Charleroi with no victories in their opening seven matches but they do come into this on the back of two wins in three games before the October international break. Those victories haven’t quite helped them to leap out of the bottom four just yet, though.
ANTWERP
At the start of last season, Royal Antwerp enjoyed nine successive victories before fading away mid-way through the campaign. They eventually claimed a first Belgian title in over 50 years on the final day of the season in dramatic circumstances. At the start of this season, they have also managed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stages for the first time ever.
Mark van Bommel’s side, though, have endured a difficult defence of their title, albeit having suffered just one defeat in their opening ten Jupiler Pro League matches. A much-needed 4-1 hammering of Eupen before the international break came on the back of a run of just one win in their previous seven matches across all competitions.
THE TEAM NEWS
SPORTING CHARLEROI
Felice Mazzu will remain with some doubts for this weekend but no new or fresh injury or suspension concerns for this weekend’s visit of the defending champions.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Koffi; Knezevic, Marcq, Andreou; Rogelj, Morioka, Zorgane, Dragsnes; Guiagon, Dabagh, Mbenza
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Bernier (Injured), Tshiend (Injured), Van Cleemput (Injured), Benbouali (Injured)
ANTWERP
Mark van Bommel will be without the injured Richie de Laet as well as having doubts over the likes of Bjorn Engels and Sam Vines for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Butez; Bataille, Alderweireld, Coulibaly, Wijndal; Vermeeren, Ekkelenkamp, Keita; Muja, Janssen, Balikwisha
UNAVAILABLE: De Laet (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Onyedika (Injured), Vines (Injured), Corbanie (Injured), Verhulst (Injured), Engels (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Sporting Charleroi went into the break on the back of some much-needed results after failing to win any of their opening seven matches. However, they remain one of the weaker and most underperforming teams in Belgium’s top-flight as they languish down towards the bottom end of the table. Royal Antwerp’s title defence has started in an unconvincing manner but they remain the firm favourites for this one, despite a few injury doubts.
TIP: ROYAL ANTWERP TO WIN
