Could Dender shock the Pro League?

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Dender are six matches into the Belgium Pro League season and sit atop the table with 11 points. It has been a fantastic start for the newly-promoted club, who has three wins, two draws, and one defeat.

The Dark Blues are level on points with second-place Anderlecht, the most historic club in Belgian football, but thanks to goal difference, are top of the standings.

Few onlookers would have expected Dender to lead the pack. However, a strong start to the season with wins over Gent, Kortrijk, and Beerschot has them sitting pretty.

However, a deeper look at Dender’s fixtures show a team that has played some of the Pro League’s weaker teams. All three wins came against teams in 12th place or lower in the 16-team division.

Meanwhile, Dender’s lone loss came against reigning champions Club Brugge, a team many onlookers expect to win the title once more. However, the loss to Brugge saw Dender make a strong comeback that fell just short, with the game ending 2-1.

Dender can also claim a nil-nil draw with Union Saint-Gilloise. Once again, USG are another of the top sides in the division, and one expected to make the Championship Playoffs.

The early stages of the Pro League shows that teams are, for now, pretty evenly matched. Just one point separates places one through six. So, by the end of matchday No. 7 in the Pro League, any one of those teams could be top of the standings.

Meanwhile, just four points separate first place to 13th place, showing just how close the Pro League is.

Perhaps most worrying for the league’s title hopefuls is Club Brugge’s improving form. After taking one point from the opening three games, Club Brugge are on a three-match winning streak.

The club’s board stuck with coach Nicky Hayen and, so far, are reaping the rewards. The Black and Blue claimed victories over Royal Antwerp, Dender, and Cercle Brugge in the derby, scoring six goals and conceding just once.

Genk are also on a three-game winning streak going into the weekend, but everyone's eyes may be on two other teams.

Anderlecht and OH Leuven are the only teams in the Pro League not to lose this season. Anderlecht are second and level on points with first-place Dender. Leuven, on the other hand, have 10 points from six games.

Anderlecht will face Westerlo this weekend, seeking to stay unbeaten. However, Westerlo have had a good start to the season, too.

They took 10 points from the opening six games, but a three-match winless streak could see them sink down the table.