Standard Liege vs Cercle Brugge Preview & Prediction
When is Standard Liege vs Cercle Brugge on and what time does it start? Standard Liege vs Cercle Brugge will take place on Saturday 19August, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Standard Liege vs Cercle Brugge? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Standard Liege vs Cercle Brugge in the UK? Standard Liege vs Cercle Brugge will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
STANDARD LIEGE
Carl Hoefkens began the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League season under immediate pressure because of his affiliation with arch-rivals Club Brugge. He will be under even greater pressure after their very underwhelming start to the season, too. The hosts come into this on the back of a 1-1 draw with Charleroi, in which they led until the 88 minute when Nathan Ngoy was then sent off and a few minutes later Charleroi managed to equalise.
That draw means Standard have begun this season with just one point in their opening three matches and Hoefkens having already switched systems as they seek answers to their plight. Last season was much-improved under Ronny Deila but the former NCYFC boss’ sudden departure towards the end of the campaign left Standard in the lurch and they have returned to their recent theme of underperformance.
CERCLE BRUGGE
Under the management of Miron Muslic, Cercle Brugge squeezed themselves into the top eight and the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff places last season. The visitors will be hoping to be up towards the top end of the table once again but they have had some tough matches to start the season, meaning they have begun with two defeats sandwiching a comfortable 2-0 win against the aforementioned Charleroi side that pinched a point at home to Standard last weekend.
Cercle started with a trip to reigning champions Royal Antwerp and performed relatively well, only losing that match by a goal to nil with a first-half stoppage-time own goal scored by Jesper Daland. Their other defeat came against another side expected to be challenging for the title this season in Genk last weekend. They were also only narrowly beaten by a goal to nil and, quite remarkably, it was another goal that sealed their fate, this time from Warleson mid-way through the second-half.
THE PREDICTED LINE-UPS
STANDARD LIEGE
At Club Brugge, Hoefkens would often prefer a back three system but he began this year with a 4-2-3-1. However, last weekend he reverted to a back three and, despite their frustrating draw, it is expected that they will stick with that system and be forced to make one change due to Nathan Ngoy’s suspension.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Bodart; Vanheusden, Bope, Dewaele; Fossey, Kawabe, O’Neill, Price, Donnum; Dragus, Kanga
UNAVAILABLE: Ngoy (Suspended), Barrett Laursen (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
CERCLE BRUGGE
Despite the two defeats, performances have remained competitive and impressive so Miron Muslic is likely to stick with his preferred 3-4-1-2 system and, with no injuries or suspensions, is also likely to name an unchanged side for this weekend’s trip to Liege.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Warleson; Popovic, Ravych, Daland; Siquet, Francis, Lopes, Semedo Varela; Gboho; Somers, Denkey
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
After switching to a back three, Standard Liege produced an improved performance but they continue to lack cutting edge in attack, as shown by being able to only notch one against Charleroi and leaving themselves open for punishment. Cercle Brugge, who have also shown good signs so far this season, have been defensively resolute and if offered the chance to concede just two goals against the three sides they have played, would have definitely accepted that. This could be quite a cagey and tight affair and a low-scoring encounter is to be expected.
