Cercle Brugge vs OH Leuven Preview & Prediction
When is Cercle Brugge vs OH Leuven on and what time does it start? Cercle Brugge vs OH Leuven will take place on Saturday 7 October, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Cercle Brugge vs OH Leuven? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Cercle Brugge vs OH Leuven in the UK? Cercle Brugge vs OH Leuven will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
CERCLE BRUGGE
Cercle Brugge were impressive last season as they managed to finish in the top eight and the end of season UEFA Europa Conference League playoff places, under the management of Miron Muslic. After an impressive summer transfer window, they will be hoping to potentially even build upon that and aim for a top six finish in the end of season championship round.
After six matches of the campaign, they had enjoyed four victories and were challenging towards the very top-of-the-table but their form has significantly dipped. They come into this on the back of a third successive Jupiler Pro League loss last weekend as they were beaten 2-1 by a struggling Kortrijk side away from home.
OH LEUVEN
Owned by the same company as Leicester City, King Power, Oud-Heverlee Leuven have also encountered financial issues that have led to the club stagnating in the middle of the division. They remain coached by Marc Brys, who has been in charge since 2020, and will be worried about being dragged down into the bottom four with fewer teams in the division.
They have been entertaining at the start of this season but a 2-1 loss at home to fellow strugglers but improving Standard Liege last weekend means they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in that bottom four. Their nine matches so far this season have consisted of 28 goals with 12 scored and 16 conceded so far.
THE TEAM NEWS
CERCLE BRUGGE
Cercle Brugge have no fresh injury or suspension concerns as the only absentee for this weekend’s encounter is that of Abu Francis with a meniscus injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Warleson; Popovic, Ravych, Daland; Siquet, De Wilde, Lopes, Semedo; Somers, Gboho; Denkey
UNAVAILABLE: Francis (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
OH LEUVEN
Oud-Heverlee Leuven have several injury concerns with Federico Ricca and Suphanat Mueanta both out injured among a group of injury doubts, as well.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Prevot; Schingtienne, Pletinckx, Miguel; Sagrado, Shrijvers, Dom, Mendyl; Maziz, Porsteinsson; Nsingi
UNAVAILABLE: Mueanta (Injured), Ricca (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Maertens (Injured), Opoku (Injured), Calut (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
These are two sides that went into the final day of the regular season last year separated by just a couple of points and Cercle Brugge squeezed into the top eight just ahead of Oud-Heverlee Leuven. Cercle Brugge started this season well but have now suffered three successive defeats as they drift down into the middle-of-the-table but Leuven remain in an even worse position as they sit in the bottom four. These are two out of form sides and a low-scoring, low quality encounter is expected for this one.
