Anderlecht – Club Brugge KV SOCCER PICKS
For the top game of the 27th game day in the Jupiler League receives record champions RSC Anderlecht the reigning champions from Bruges. The kickers from the Brussels district have clearly seen better times than currently. In the cup early against the second-class city rivals Union St. Gilloise excreted, in the group stage of the Europa League winless and in the championship, the pair-Wit are only in sixth place, which is why they even for the first time in years for the entry into the championship round fear, because KAA Gent only three counters ago. No wonder that with Fred Rutten is already the third coach since the new year on the sidelines. The Dutchman replaced the interim solution Karim Belhocine, who had taken over the post again at the beginning of last December by Hein Vanhaezebrouck.
His yield falls after five matchdays only on average with two wins and losses and a draw. For their part, the guests from Bruges beat the leaders of Genk 3-1 on the final day of the match and lost 4-0 in the Europa League at Red Bull Salzburg last Thursday night. A game that of course took a lot of strength. Blauw-Zwart is certainly stronger than the Elf from Brussels these days, but due to the extra effort in Salzburg a balanced game can be expected. At Anderlecht against Bruges the tip is therefore on a draw. The forecast also takes into account that the hosts have already finished five of their 13 home games with a division of points and Bruges has the same balance in the amount of nearly 40 percent in draw away.
Anderlecht:
The Mauves et Blancs are also under their new coach Fred Rutten from the spot. The minimum goal of reaching the championship round is still in danger. The Dutch coach celebrated in his fifth game last weekend but at least his second victory. A success that also succeeded against a very strong opponent in the shape of the fourth-placed from Antwerp. With 1: 0, the Flemings was defeated away. But the result sounds better than it was, because the goal to victory was very happy in the second minute of stoppage time and Antwerp was at least equal.
Nevertheless, the success was of course balm for the cracked psyche of Anderlechter. This has suffered not only in the Jupiler League, but also in the Europa League, where Sporting after the group stage with the embarrassing yield of two goals and three points, hammered by three draws, was the last to say goodbye to his group. For the proud club that has twice won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and was the winner of the UEFA Cup in 1983, such a record is of course dignified. But the games on European stage were just a reflection of the often disappointing performances in the national league. Especially Anderlecht is hardly recognizable this season, as shown by the enormous number of eight defeats from 15 appearances.
At least in the domestic Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, the 34-time champion is still quite stable: Only one of his 13 home game has been lost so far. The defeat Anderlecht recorded in early December against the KRC Genk, but also delivers a very good season and enthroned at the top of the table. Otherwise, there were seven wins and also already five draws. So also in the last time home game against SV Zulte Waregem, who is only based in the lower midfield. Among others, the Frenchman Adrien Trebel and the Ukrainian Evgeniy Makarenko in midfield can not run aground. Also questionable is the use of Landry Dimata in attack. The top scorer, 13 goals this season, suffers from knee problems.
Bruges:
The FCB spins in these weeks from a demanding program: Only the rousing first leg against Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League, that was won after a great fight and a deficit still 2-1 in the domestic Jan Breydel Stadium, thus eliminating the champions The first defeat of the season was inflicted on Austria, followed by the blast against league leaders KRC Genk. Also this match was denied by Bruges victorious. Despite the 3: 1 success, the Flemings are with eight points still quite clearly behind the surprisingly strong playing Smurfs from Genk. This week was followed by the return match against the Salzburg, but was crashed with 0: 4 lost.
Away, the yield of Club Bruges is so far a bit meager: Only five of the 13 guest appearances were successfully completed. Instead, the points were divided five times and three times had the 15-time champion as loser to travel home. In the offensive, which is very accurate in the stranger despite the expandable point yield with 22 goals, the hopes are currently mainly on the Brazilian Wesley, who scored three goals in his last five missions.
