Sporting Charleroi vs OH Leuven Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Sporting Charleroi vs OH Leuven on and what time does it start? Sporting Charleroi vs OH Leuven will take place on Saturday 29th July, 2023 – 17:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Sporting Charleroi vs OH Leuven? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Sporting Charleroi vs OH Leuven in the UK? Sporting Charleroi vs OH Leuven will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
SPORTING CHARLEROI
Last season, Sporting Charleroi finished the campaign sitting ninth and firmly in the middle-of-the-table, missing out on the top eight and the European playoff places on the final day of the campaign. Over the summer, they have been able to have a full pre-season with Felice Mazzu who was re-appointed last winter after a failed controversial move to Anderlecht, which followed an impressive stint in charge of Union SG. With the playoffs expanding back to 12 teams, Charleroi will expect to push for a top six spot at a push.
OH LEUVEN
Oud-Heverlee Leuven, still owned by Leicester City’s owners King Power, head into the 2023/24 Belgian Jupiler Pro League campaign still under the management of Marc Brys, who took charge in 2020. The visitors have been sitting firmly in the middle-of-the-table for the last few seasons and will be confident and content with that again as it moves them into the Playoffs II this time around. Their summer has been steady, albeit they have had to deal with the financial strain as much as their affiliate club Leicester.
THE PREDICTED LINE-UPS
SPORTING CHARLEROI
Sporting Charleroi are without a couple of players for this opening round of fixtures. Both Nadhir Benbouali and Ken Knuba are out injured with Knuba expected back in September and Benbouali suffering a crucial ligament rupture. Felice Mazzu’s preferred formation has been a 4-1-4-1 in the past.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Koffi; Van Cleemput, Andreou, Bessile, Knezevic; Ilaimaharitra; Mbenza, Zorgane, Heymans, Bernier; Badji
UNAVAILABLE: Benbaouli (Injury), Knuba (Injury)
QUESTIONABLE:
OH LEUVEN
Marc Brys has been in charge for three seasons and whilst he has occasionally flipped between systems, he has often stuck with a preferred 3-4-2-1 system. The visitors will be without Alexandro Calut due to a knee injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Cojocaru; Ricca, Shlomo, Pletinckx; Vletinck, Keita, Misao, Mendyl; Maertens, Thorsteinsson; N’Dri
UNAVAILABLE: Calut (Injury)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Both of these sides finished just outside of the top eight and the European playoff places last season but both will be confident of taking advantage of the format change to 12 teams heading into the playoffs. However, as mentioned, a full Felice Mazzu pre-season will give Charleroi confidence they can even flirt with a move into the top six. Given their home advantage, an opening day Sporting Charleroi win looks a good bet for this one as they seek a strong season.
TIP: CHARLEROI TO WIN
