In the last 36 duels between Club and Westerlo (30W 5D), Club Brugge lost only once: a 0-2 home defeat in October 2022 (2x Lyle Foster). It was Club's only home defeat in 20 home matches against Westerlo (18W 1D). Club hasn't lost in the last four games against them (3W 1D).
Club hasn't lost the last home game of the year in the last eight seasons (5W 3D) with three consecutive draws: 1-1 vs Union in 2023, 1-1 vs OH Leuven in 2022 en 2-2 vs RSC Anderlecht in 2021.
Andreas Skov Olsen is still Club's top marksman with seven goals. Hans Vanaken has provided six assists and is joined assist king in the Jupiler Pro League with Antwerp's Vincent Janssen.
Christos Tzolis' assist for Chemsdine Talbi's goal last Sunday was his fourth, which means he has now been involved in 10 goals: 6 goals, 4 assists.
The 19-year-old Talbi has scored five times now in 457 minutes. Only thirteen players were younger than Talbi (19 years, 7 months, 13 days) when they scored their fifth for Club. Fernand Goyvaerts was the youngest at the age of 18 years, 1 month and 15 days. Remarkably, Talbi scored all five goals as a substitute.
After Sunday's 2-2 draw at Union, Genk widened the gap again as they won their home game against Anderlecht. Club is still the best scoring side with 40 goals and the best team on the road with 18 points.
If Club doesn't lose on Thursday, it has been unbeaten in its last fourteen games. Club only had a better run sixteen times in the history of the club.
Club scored an average of 3,2 goals in its home games against Westerlo (64 goals in 20 games). That is the highest average against all teams who have faced Club at least fifteen times.
A win would mean that Club grabs a fifth consecutive home win the league. The last time we achieved that dates back to December 2020 - March 2021 (6 times under Philippe Clement).
Club recorded 242 goal attempts in 2024 so far, which is more than any other team. Westerlo is third with 204 goal attempts.
The opponent
Westerlo is currently 11th with 23 points, which is three points more than Cercle Brugge who are the highest ranked team from the bottom four.
So far Westerlo raked up seven points on the road after victories against Mechelen (2-4) and Standard (1-2) and a draw at Anderlecht (2-2). They lost against AA Gent (4-1), Genk (1-0), STVV (2-0), Charleroi (1-0), Dender (1-0) and Union (3-1).
Since this Summer Club Brugge legend Timmy Simons is the head coach of Westerlo. They had a tremendous season start and top of the league after three fixtures. Things ran a bit less smooth in the last couple of weeks: Westerlo didn't record a win in December (2D 2L) and got knocked out of the Croky Cup after a 4-1 defeat at Anderlecht.
If Westerlo loses its game on Thursday, it loses a fifth consecutive away match for the first time since 2012. Westerlo would then also equal its all-time low record of 19 defeats in a calendar year.
Westerlo's top strikers are Matija Frigan and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh who both struck home six times. The Iranian Sayyadmanesh is also the joined assist king, together with Doğucan Haspolat. Both players have given four key passes.
The Croatian defender Luka Vušković played the most for Westerlo. The 17-year-old defender plays on loan from Hajduk Split and will move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur next season. He scored his fifth goal of the season the previous game.
Timmy Simons will have to do without Matija Frigan and winger Josimar Alcócer. The two sit out a one-match ban after having been booked a fifth time this season last Friday.
Westerlo has been booked 56 times so far, which is the highest number of all teams in the top flight. On average Westerlo starts the game with three Belgians, which is the lowest number of all Jupiler Pro League sides. With an average age of 23,6 years Westerlo has the second youngest starting XI. Only Cercle Brugge (23,5) does better.
Milestones
- Hugo Vetlesen awaits his 75th match for Club Brugge.
- Zaid Romero can play his 10th match for Blauw-Zwart.
- Andreas Skov Olsen could play his 90th league game for Club..
- For Christos Tzolis it could be his 20th in the league for Club..
- Nicky Hayen will coach his 30th league match for Club (18W 8D 3L).
First division: 41 duels: 33 wins for Club, 6 draws and 2 defeats | 102 goals scored and 30 conceded
Belgian cup: 3 duels: 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 defeats for Club | 13 goals scored, 0 conceded
Total: 44 duels: 36 wins, 6 draws, 2 defeats for Club | 115 goals scored, 30 conceded
The man in black
Nathan Verboomen has been appointed referee. He will be assisted by Mathias Hillaert and Ruben Wyns. Bert Verbeke is the fourth official. The video assistant referee is Arthur Denil, assisted by Kevin Debeuckelaere and Mehdi Sayoud.
