Standard Liege vs Anderlecht Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Standard Liege vs Anderlecht on and what time does it start? Standard Liege vs Anderlecht will take place on Sunday 22nd October, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Standard Liege vs Anderlecht? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Standard Liege vs Anderlecht in the UK? Standard Liege vs Anderlecht will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
STANDARD LIEGE
Owned by prospective major shareholders at Everton, 777 Partners, one of Belgium’s so-called ‘big three’, Standard Liege, have been extremely poor with a major decline in recent years. Ronny Deila was in charge last season and helped them leap from the bottom-half to the end of season playoff places but Deila left Club Brugge and they began this season really badly.
However, under the management of former Club Brugge boss Carl Hoefkens, they have been much-improved over the last month and a half or so. Their 2-1 defeat of Club Brugge means that they have now managed three victories in their last four matches and they are now unbeaten in their last six games.
ANDERLECHT
Brian Riemer was appointed Anderlecht boss mid-way through last season but couldn’t spark much improvement with the Brussels club as their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final exit was accompanied by a bottom-half finish in the Jupiler Pro League. They have, though, been a lot better this season as a fallen member of Belgium’s ‘big three’ seek to reclaim their spot towards the top.
Prior to the October international break, they earned impressive back-to-back victories against Eupen and then Mechelen. Those wins mean that they begin the restart of Belgian football sitting second in the table, a point behind their capital city rivals Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. They are unbeaten nine matches since an opening day loss to reigning champions Roya Antwerp.
THE TEAM NEWS
STANDARD LIEGE
Carl Hoefkens leads Standard Liege into this clash against rivals Anderlecht with no fresh injury or suspension concerns so they can remain unchanged.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Bodart; Vanheusden, Bope, Ngoy; Fossey, Kawabe, Hayden, Alzate, Djenepo; Sowah, Kanga
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Laifis (Injured), Hautekiet (Injured), Mundle (Injured), Perica (Injured)
ANDERLECHT
Thomas Delaney and Yari Verschaeren remain key absentees in Anderlecht’s midfield with Majeed Ashimeru, Kasper Dolberg and Benito Raman all remaining doubtful for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Sardella, Debast, Vertonghen, Augustinusson; Stroeykens, Rits, Leoni; Dreyer, Dolberg, Hazard
UNAVAILABLE: Delaney (Injured), Verschaeren (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Dolberg (Injured), Raman (Injured), Ashimeru (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
A few weeks ago, Standard took on another member of ‘the big three’ by defeating Club Brugge and now they host the other. The hosts have been in excellent a much-needed, much-improved form of late as they welcome an Anderlecht side that have some significant injury concerns, especially in midfield. Only one of the visitors’ six victories so far this season has come against a side in the top-half so this will feel like a step up. Given that, their current form and home advantage, a double chance bet in favour of Standard looks the way to go for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – STANDARD LIEGE TO WIN OR DRAW
