On Matchday 8 of the Champions’ Play-Offs, Club Brugge host Union Saint-Gilloise at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Kick-off is on Sunday at 6:30 PM. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash in the Club Facts.
THE MATCH
Union Saint-Gilloise travel to Jan Breydel on Sunday for the headline fixture of Matchday 8 in the Champions’ Play-Offs. This will be the 101st top-flight duel between the two sides and the 50th time Union visits Bruges. Of the previous 49 home games against Union, Club Brugge have recorded 23 wins, 12 draws and 14 defeats.
It will also be the fifth duel between the teams at Jan Breydel in the Champions’ Play-Offs. Club won the first duel back in 2022, but have failed to beat Union in the following three duels (1 draw, 2 defeats).
After last weekend, both Club and Union are guaranteed to finish in the top two for the third consecutive season. Club Brugge came out on top in 2024, while Union lifted the title last season. After this match, Club still face an away trip to KV Mechelen and a home game against KAA Gent. Union, meanwhile, still have to travel to KAA Gent before hosting city rivals RSC Anderlecht.
Last Saturday, Club Brugge beat STVV 2-0 at home. Since Ivan Leko’s return, Club have played 10 league matches at Jan Breydel and scored at least twice in every one of them, netting 31 goals in total.
Aleksandar Stanković will need to avoid a yellow card on Sunday or he will be suspended for the midweek clash against KV Mechelen.
THE OPPONENT
So far Union are the only side to have taken points off Club Brugge in these play-offs. On Matchday 3, Brandon Mechele scored the opening goal in the away match at Union but the Blues still lost. Winter signings Mateo Biondic and Besfort Zeneli turned the game around in favour of the reigning champions.
Since that victory, however, David Hubert’s side have dropped points twice. The home match against KAA Gent ended on a goalless draw and Union suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Stayen. As a result, Union now counts one point less than Club.
Last Thursday, Union lifted their fourth Belgian Cup after beating Anderlecht at the Heizel. The Unionists needed extra time to get past their Brussels rivals.
Kevin Rodríguez has joined Promise David as the visitors’ top scorer, with nine goals each. Rob Schoofs leads the way in assists with six.
MILESTONES
- Raphael Onyedika could make his 125th league appearance for Club Brugge.
- Bjorn Meijer could play his 100th Jupiler Pro League match for the Blues.
- Jorne Spileers could make his 70th league appearance.
- Hugo Siquet could play his 50th JPL match for Club.
THE MAN IN BLACK
Mr. Lothar D’Hondt has been appointed Man in Black for Sunday’s top clash. The East Flanders official will blow the whistle during a Club Brugge match for the 34th time in his career. He has previously refereed 15 Club matches at Jan Breydel, with Club recording 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats in those games.
Mr. D’Hondt has already refereed this fixture three times before:
6 May 2023: Club Brugge 1-2 Union Saint-Gilloise
28 February 2024: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Club Brugge
27 April 2025: Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Club Brugge