Before the Round – Belgium Pro League Round 1 (23-24/07/2022)

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The Belgium Pro League kicks off this weekend as Club Brugge attempt to retain their title from a season ago. The Pro League will see some new names and new faces as 18 teams battle for the playoffs and to get their hands on silverware.

Sporting Charleroi - Eupen

Sporting Charleroi have slightly edged their head-to-head encounters with rival KAS Eupen over their last six meetings. Charleroi have a record of 3W-1D-2L against Eupen heading into matchday No. 1.

Eupen finished a disappointing 15th at the end of last season. Just 32 points were taken from 34 games in the league. Eupen were beaten home and away by Charleroi last season by a combined 7-0 scoreline.

Charleroi finished sixth in the league last term and qualified for the playoffs II. Despite making the top six, Charleroi were not able to qualify for the Europa Conference League through the Pro League’s playoff structure. Sporting took 55 points from 34 matches in 2021-22 during the regular season.

• In their last 6 home games in Jupiler Pro League, Sporting Charleroi have recorded 5 undefeated encounters.
• Eupen haven't scored a goal in all of their last 3 away league matches.
• In Sporting Charleroi's last 5 home games in Jupiler Pro League there have been over 2.5 goals scored.
• Eupen have won only 2 of their last 24 Jupiler Pro League matches.
• Prediction: Sporting Charleroi @ 1.65

KV Kortrijk - OH Leuven

Results have been even between KV Kortrijk and Oud-Heverlee Leuven in recent meetings. Kortrijk posted three wins while Leuven also recorded three victories.

The home side won the fixtures between these sides last season. Both matches finished with identical 2-1 scorelines. Kortrijk will feel confident of getting a home win once more against Leuven. Kortrijk won two of their last three games at home versus Saturday’s visitors.

Like Kortrijk, Leuven missed out on the playoffs last season. Oud-Heverlee Leuven finished 11th with 41 points from 34 games. Leuven conceded 58 goals to opponents.

• A run of 6 straight defeats makes the most recent matches in Jupiler Pro League of KV Kortrijk.
• In their last 8 games in Jupiler Pro League, OH Leuven have recorded only 1 win.
• KV Kortrijk have won just 1 of their last 14 matches in Jupiler Pro League.
• OH Leuven have won just 1 of their last 7 away league games.
• Prediction: KV Kortrijk @ 2.30

Anderlecht - KV Oostende

Anderlecht go into the new season with a new manager after Vincent Kompany left for Burnley. Felice Mazzu takes charge of the club as they seek a sixth match unbeaten against Oostende.

Anderlecht have a record of 3W-2D-1L against Oostende in their last six encounters. Last season, Anderlecht won at home 3-0 against this weekend’s visitors. Anderlecht scored the league’s second-most goals in 2021-22 with 72 as they made the playoffs I.

Oostende finished last season in 13th place and 14 points off of the final playoff II place. Just 37 points from 34 matches were taken by Oostende.

• Anderlecht haven't lost a match in 17 of their last 19 home matches in Jupiler Pro League.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Anderlecht's last 6 league games against KV Oostende.
• KV Oostende have achieved just 1 win in their 6 most recent games in Jupiler Pro League.
• Anderlecht have scored 2+ goals in all of their last 5 games against KV Oostende in Jupiler Pro League.
• Prediction: Anderlecht @ 1.25

KV Mechelen - Royal Antwerp

Royal Antwerp finished fourth in the regular season last season but ended the playoffs 14 points off of first-place Club Brugge. New manager Mark van Bommel joined the club this offseason as Royal Antwerp have grand plans.

First up is KV Mechelen. Mechelen finished seventh last season with 52 points from 34 regular-season games. Sunday’s home team has the head-to-head edge over Royal Antwerp with a record of 4W-0D-2L.

Antwerp have spent heavily in the transfer market and most notably signed former Tottenham player Vincent Janssen. Former Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld has also arrived at the club. Antwerp took 63 points from 34 games last season.

• KV Mechelen haven't lost in 7 of their last 8 home matches in Jupiler Pro League.
• Royal Antwerp have suffered 3 losses in a row in their clashes with KV Mechelen (Jupiler Pro League).
• In their last 7 games in Jupiler Pro League, KV Mechelen have recorded only 1 win.
• Royal Antwerp have won just 1 of their last 7 matches in Jupiler Pro League.
• Prediction: Royal Antwerp @ 2.25