Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With the Belgian Super Cup up for grabs on Saturday night, Club Brugge will welcome Royale Union to the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Club Brugge
Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they got their hands on a 19th Pro League crown, Club Brugge gained a string of plaudits from across the continent. Reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals and breaking plenty of individual records, Nicky Hayen’s men are already pencilled in as a standout contender to defend their domestic title this time around. Unbeaten in all of their final 10 top-flight appearances last season, the former Sint-Truiden coach has also seen his squad gain a reputation for their continued success on home soil. In fact, aside from a 2-1 defeat against Anderlecht back on February 25th, that is the only domestic loss that Club Brugge have suffered at the Jan Breydel Stadium over the past 14 months.
Team News
Already active during this summer’s transfer window, the quartet of Zaid Romero, Ardon Jashari, Gustaf Nilsson and former Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Christos Tzolis could all make respective competitive debuts on Saturday night. Former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will start between the sticks as the 36-year-old begins his sixth campaign at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Watching attacking talisman Igor Thiago complete a big-money move to Premier League outfit Brentford this summer, former Bologna star Andreas Skov Olsen should spearhead Brugge’s charge here.
Royale Union
As for the visitors, falling agonising short last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first domestic crown since way back in 1933, Royale Union are desperate to mount another charge for the history books this time around. However, while Les Unionistes might have signed off the 2023/24 campaign with a real flurry, Sebastian Pocognoli’s men did fail to find much stability on their travels. Winning just a pair of their final six Pro League showdowns away from the Jospeh Marien Stadium, the former Belgium U18s boss also saw his squad muster just a sole clean sheet on the road since the start of March. Although Royale Union might have pushed Club Brugge right down to the wire last season, they should have a real challenge on their hands here.
Team News
Completing a €2million move from Strum Graz this summer, Ghanian youngster Mohammed Fuseini will make his Royale Union debut on Saturday night and will spearhead Les Unionistes’ attack. Watching striking talisman Mohamed Amoura complete a blockbuster move to German outfit Wolfsburg last month, it will be interesting to see how Pocognoli fills that void in the final third.
Making 37 Pro League appearances last season and becoming a real fan favourite around the Jospeh Marien Stadium, former Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess will start at the heart of Royale Union’s defence here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Club Brugge and Royale Union last met back on May 13th, Saturday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
- Club Brugge were unbeaten in all of their final 10 Pro League appearances last season.
- Likewise, Hayen’s camp have suffered just a single domestic defeat in front of their own supporters over the past 14 months.
- Les Unionistes recorded just a pair of wins from any of their final six Pro League matchups away from the Joseph Marien Stadium.
- Nine of the previous 10 meetings between Club Brugge and Royale Union have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Two Belgian heavyweights who will be looking to make their own respective statements on Saturday night, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable showdown from the Jan Breydel Stadium. With Club Brugge and Royale Union playing out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate when they last met back on May 13th, chances could come thick and fast here. It should be highlighted, with nine of the last 10 meetings between Saturday’s opponents finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in Bruges.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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