Before the Round -- Trends on Belgium Pro League (29-30/07)

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The Belgium Pro League returns this week, with round No 1. Last season saw an incredible final day of the campaign, as three teams had the chance to win the title.

In the end, Royal Antwerp lifted the trophy. It was Antwerp’s second trophy of the season after picking up the Belgian Cup.

RWD Molenbeek - Racing Genk

RWD Molenbeek won the Belgian Challenger Pro League last season, earning promotion to the Pro League. Molenbeek will kick off the top-flight campaign against Racing Genk. Genk lost the title on the final day of last season but were the league’s best side before the championship playoffs.

Genk and Molenbeek have not met in competitive action since 2008. The clubs did play friendlies in 2020 and 2021, splitting two matches with one win apiece.

The Blue Whites posted a record of 23W-6D-5L last season. They had a strong away record of 9W-5D-3L. Genk played in the UCL qualification rounds in midweek, drawing 1-1 with Switzerland’s Servette. RWD Molenbeek are coming off a surprise 1-0 friendly win against France’s Lyon.

• RWD Molenbeek have scored at least 1 goal in their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Racing Genk are unbeaten in 33 of their 39 most recent matches (Jupiler Pro League).
• RWD Molenbeek have won 4 of their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Racing Genk have conceded 1+ goals in all of their last 13 league matches.
• Prediction: Racing Genk

Sporting Charleroi - OH Leuven

OH Leuven posted a record of four wins and two draws against Sporting Charleroi in their last six head-to-head meetings. Leuven are on a four-game winning streak in matches versus Sporting Charleroi. Last season, OH Leuven outscored Sporting Charleroi 4-2.

Sporting Charleroi finished 10th last season in the regular season, just outside of the European playoff places. The Black Whites posted a record of 14W-6D-14L, 45 goals for and 52 against. Sporting Charleroi took 23 points from 17 matches last season on the road.

OH Leuven finished ninth and missed the playoffs. They finished with 48 points, the same number as Sporting Charleroi. Leuven had an away record of 6W-4D-7L, with a +3-goal difference.

• Sporting Charleroi are undefeated in 9 of their last 11 Jupiler Pro League games.
• OH Leuven have managed to win their last 3 Jupiler Pro League clashes at both half time and full time.
• Over 2.5 goals were seen in Sporting Charleroi's last 4 matches in Jupiler Pro League.
• OH Leuven have managed to defeat Sporting Charleroi in their last 3 encounters in Jupiler Pro League.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Royal Antwerp - Cercle Brugge

Reigning champions Royal Antwerp claimed the Belgian Super Cup a week ago, with a win over Mechelen. Mark van Bommel’s team picked up three domestic trophies in just a few months. Now, the Reds start the new season seeking another title.

First up for Antwerp in the league are Cercle Brugge. Cercle finished eighth last season with 50 points from 34 games. The Green Blacks lost both regular season matches against Royal Antwerp last season by a combined score of 4-1.

Royal Antwerp are unbeaten in five straight matches versus Cercle Brugge. Antwerp finished third in the regular season last term, three points off Genk, before winning the title in the playoffs. The Reds were the second-best team at home last season, with a record of 13W-2D-2L.

• Royal Antwerp are undefeated in 22 of their last 25 league games.
• There are no losses for Cercle Brugge in 7 of their most recent 8 games (Jupiler Pro League).
• Both teams have scored in 5 of Royal Antwerp's last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• In 5 of their most recent away matches in Jupiler Pro League, Cercle Brugge have seen over 2.5 goals scored.
• Prediction: Royal Antwerp

KAA Gent - KV Kortrijk

KAA Gent are unbeaten in three straight matches versus KV Kortrijk in all competitions. Last season, the Buffaloes posted two wins by a combined score of 6-1. Three of the last six matches between these clubs saw three red cards.

KV Kortrijk just saw off relegation last season. They finished 14th in the 18-team league. KV Kortrijk only won eight times in the regular season.

Gent ended last term in fifth place to qualify for the European qualification playoffs. The Buffaloes missed the championship playoffs by just three points. Gent were strong at home last term, with nine wins, four draws, and four defeats. They scored 28 times and conceded 16 goals at home.

• KAA Gent are undefeated in their last 6 Jupiler Pro League games in a row.
• KV Kortrijk have a poor record of 3 consecutive away losses in Jupiler Pro League.
• KAA Gent have managed to score 1+ goals in their last 13 matches in Jupiler Pro League.
• KV Kortrijk have managed to win just 1 of their last 6 games in the league.
• Prediction: KAA Gent