Tonight at the Jan Breydelstadion, Club Brugge hosts provincial rival Zulte Waregem for their 48th game in the Jupiler Pro League. Blue-black wants to recover after the previous home defeat, while Essevee is building on its recent stunt victory against KRC Genk.
THE MATCH.
For the second weekend in a row, Club Brugge plays at home in the Jupiler Pro League. Provincial rival Zulte Waregem is Saturday's guest. It is already the 48th confrontation in First Division between the two teams. On home soil, Club achieved 18 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats against Essevee.
In the last 4 home games Club remained unbeaten each time against Zulte Waregem and three times it was able to keep the zero in that series. If Club does not lose on Saturday, it will be unbeaten against the Sporting Club for 10 mutual duels in a row. If Club wins, it will book its 30th win in First Division against Zulte Waregem.
Earlier this season Club went on to win with the smallest difference at the Gaverbeek. No goals had been scored after 90 minutes, but a brush stroke by Shandre Campbell in the store hook still gave Club an ultimate victory. The South African scored Club's 100th goal against Essevee in First Division.
Top shooter (7 goals) and assist king (10 assists) Christos Tzolis is still uncertain after his injury against RAAL La Louvière. Romeo Vermant joined his buddy Christos as Club's top shooter with 7 goals. Mamadou Diakhon is now the second best striker in the league at Club with 4 assists.
After the unexpected home defeat against the Hainauts, Club had to relinquish its second place to STVV. The deficit on league leader Union grew to 4 points. Club lost, like last season, 2 home matches, while in the three previous seasons it suffered only 1 home defeat each time in the regular competition.
THE OPPONENT
Essevee is back in the Jupiler Pro League after two seasons of absence. It is the 24th season in First Class for the merged club. After 21 playing days, coach Sven Vandenbroeck's team is in 10th place in the rankings.
Last weekend, Zulte Waregem was able to stunt with a 2-1 victory against KRC Genk. The Limburgers had taken the lead 15 minutes before time, but SVZW fought back with goals from Marley Aké and Wilguens Paugain. That ended a run of nine consecutive games without victory for the club.
On the road, the club has so far won 11 out of 33. Zulte Waregem won at RSC Anderlecht and Sporting Charleroi, drew at RAAL La Louvière, Cercle Brugge, FCV Dender EH, Standard Liège and OH Leuven and lost at KVC Westerlo, KRC Genk, Union SG and R. Antwerp FC.
This week, the club reinforced itself with Turkish central defender Kadir Seven, transferred from Turkish second division side Corum FK, and Danish midfielder Tristan Panduro. After the outward match against Club, Zulte Waregem also hired two more players: French striker Marley Aké and English defender Emran Soglo.
THE MILEERS
- Jorne Spileers can play his 90th game for Club Brugge.
- For Romeo Vermant, it could be the 80th match in Blauw-Zwart shirt.
- Raphael Onyedika can play his 110th match in the Jupiler Pro League for Club.
- For Shandre Campbell, it could be the 10th league match.
- Simon Mignolet can be between the posts for the 280th time in First Division.
THE REFEREE
Bert Verbeke is the referee on duty Saturday. He is assisted by linesmen Yves De Neve and Michiel De Cuyper, fourth official Nicolas Laforge, VAR Wim Smet, who is assisted by Gianni Seeldraeyers and Jari Van Laere.
Verbeke is a 28-year-old West Flanders ref, who has been whistling at the highest level in Belgium since last season. He already whistled two previous Club Brugge games this season, both away matches: at OH Leuven (0-1) and FCV Dender EH (1-5).
For Zulte Waregem this season he was in charge of the cup game at Union SG (2-1) and the league games at KVC Westerlo (3-1) and Antwerp (2-1), as well as at home against Antwerp (2-0).