Two of Belgium’s footballing giants face off this weekend in the Jupiler Pro League calendar. Standard Liege and Anderlecht have both had mixed starts to the campaign but victory in this game is crucial for both to keep pace with reigning Champions Club Brugge at the top of the Jupiler Pro League rankings.
Anderlecht will be sports betting favourites at odds of 2.25 with Bet777.be, but Standard Liege have shown enough defensive solidarity to cause the visitors some real problems. The home side haven’t scored too many, but M’Baye Leye’s side have won 3 of the last 4 games 1-0 meaning it might be an idea to keep an eye out on the live betting odds of under 1.5 goals.
We’ve taken a look at how we think things might play out and given you some football odds to help make your decisions easier. Check out Bet777.be for the best sports and online betting!
Will St. Liege’s Defence Win the Battle?
Standard Liege to win 1-0 – 11.00
Aside from the games against Antwerp and St. Gilloise, Liege have been fairly dominant defensively. Their young back-line consisting of Ameen Al Dakhil and Moussa Sissako has been improving, and behind them, 23 year-old goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart has impressed.
Leye has shuffled his formation around numerous times between three and four back defences, but doesn’t yet seem confident in either system. After their recent 1-0 victory over Seraing in which they utilised a 3-4-3, it is probable that the manager will set his side up in a similar fashion to get the better of Anderlecht’s preferred 4-4-2.
The 3-4-3 would not only allow them to match Anderlecht’s wingers defensively, but will provide them with an overload should Kompany’s wide-men fail to track back. Joao Klauss is almost certain to lead the line and will rely heavily on the service provided by Moroccan danger man Selim Amallah on the wing as well as last season’s breakthrough star Jackson Muleka.
St. Liege will have to bet at their best to keep Anderlecht out and their front three have the quality to cause the visitors problems. You can back the home side to win @ 3.15 with Bet777.be.
Can Anderlecht Outscore Standard Liege?
Anderlecht win and both to score – 4.15
Komapny’s side have not conceded too many goals, but have conceded them regularly. Anderlecht have only kept one clean sheet in their opening six games and will need to sure up their defence if they want to challenge for the title this season.
Despite leaking goals, Anderlecht’s defenders have been pivotal in contributing to the attack. Full-backs Michael Murillo and Sergio Gomez have 8 goal contributions between them (2 goals and 6 assists) in six games, meaning they have been directly responsible for the creation or finishing of over half of Anderlecht’s 14 league goals.
No matter what formation St. Liege opt to play, Anderlecht will look to overload the wings, with Belgian prospect Anouar Ait El Hadj and Russian veteran Lior Refaelov likely to feature out wide. Kompany will be looking to his wingers and attacking full-backs to provide for the front two and whether it is Joshua Zirkzee, Benito Raman or Cristian Kouame, Anderlecht have goals in them.
Anderlecht haven’t been the best defensively, but Liege haven’t exactly been free-scoring either. If the visitors are allowed space down the flanks, they will find joy against this inconsistent Liege side. You can back to Anderlecht to take all three points on the road @ 2.25 with our pick of the Jupiler Pro League calendar this weekend on Bet777.be.
*Odds correct at time of publish.
