Belgian Jupiler league 23/24 - discussion

[casperBGD]

bump

Genk lost against Kortrijk, and failed to increase their advantage over Royale and Club Brugge
with Antwerp in low zone, after great start, and Genk losing, will this season end-up as previous, when Royale had a lead almost till the end, but eventually in Championship Group Brugge stepped on gas and overcome them in final rounds, or Genk/Antwerp will be able to finish on top this season

[swogerino]

bump

Genk lost against Kortrijk, and failed to increase their advantage over Royale and Club Brugge
with Antwerp in low zone, after great start, and Genk losing, will this season end-up as previous, when Royale had a lead almost till the end, but eventually in Championship Group Brugge stepped on gas and overcome them in final rounds, or Genk/Antwerp will be able to finish on top this season

I think Genk is in a far better position than most teams,I completely didn't saw the standings before putting a bet for Club Brugge to win in the cup game some days ago when they failed miserably against a team much lower in rankings.What I mean is that Genk without Anderlecht or Club Brugge out of their way in the title fight it is only them who can lose the title and by losing to teams like Kortrijk in continuity can really endanger their position at the top of the standings.

Things look good for Genk so far with 7 points difference from the closest follower.

[cygan]

belgian champions fc brugge have sacked coach Carl Hoefkens. the reason for the dismissal is the disappointing results in the national competitions. after 18 matchdays, defending champions brugge are only fourth in the jupiler league and twelve points behind leaders krc genk. in the cup, the team was eliminated in the round of 16 shortly before christmas. CH was promoted to head coach in the summer after three years as assistant coach and won the cl group stage behind benfica and ahead of bayer leverkusen and atletico madrid

[babygun]

belgian champions fc brugge have sacked coach Carl Hoefkens. the reason for the dismissal is the disappointing results in the national competitions. after 18 matchdays, defending champions brugge are only fourth in the jupiler league and twelve points behind leaders krc genk. in the cup, the team was eliminated in the round of 16 shortly before christmas. CH was promoted to head coach in the summer after three years as assistant coach and won the cl group stage behind benfica and ahead of bayer leverkusen and atletico madrid

I saw the dismissal coming of Hoefkens but he did some great things; reaching the second stage of CL group stage is a very nice achievement. Will be interesting to see who will become the new head coach and if he can turns things around. It is not too late yet as in the playoffs, the points gets halved.

[cygan]

Scott Parker is the new coach at belgium's champions club brugge. the former england international, who led fc fulham to the premier league in 2020 and afc bournemouth in 2022, succeeds Carl Hoefkens, who was sacked a few days ago. SP had been sacked at bournemouth in august after a 0-9 defeat at liverpool and criticism of the club's transfer policy.

[casperBGD]

back to Jupiler, and Mechelen won today, 3:2, with a goal and assist from Nikola Storm (he had one goal in first 19 matches this season), hopefully this will prove his value, and he will score more till the end of the season

Genk is winning big, 18 wins in 21 match so far, if they do not make it this season, not sure when they will, 19 points above Brugge at the moment

[Renampun]

in the last 5 matches, Genk has performed poorly (got 3 draws - 1 loss - 1 win), yesterday Genk vs Cercle Brugge ended in a 1-1 draw (the hosts successfully held Genk). even though they are still at the top of the standings with 68 points, if they continue to play badly then US-G, which is currently in 2nd place in the standings, has the opportunity to shift Genk.

live: antwerp vs charleroi -- temporary results charleroi winning 1-0 through a goal made by badji in the 15th minute, if you lose this match then antwerp fails to be in 2nd place (shifting US-G which is currently in 2nd place in the standings belgium pro league).

[casperBGD]

one of most interesting finishing in European football is going down today in Jupiler league
Antwerp, Genk and Royale are all in Championship fight, but also fighting for top2 positions, that are CL spots, with third having to settle with Europa league

at the moment, Antwerp on top with 46, same as Royale, with Genk on 45 points
last round, Genk is playing Antwerp at home, while Royale is host to Brugge, that is without chances to win title, Royale chances are best, since Brugge is out of form (Royale @1.6 win is a good pick, but low value), but will be all interesting from 18:30 today

[LTU_btc]

one of most interesting finishing in European football is going down today in Jupiler league
Antwerp, Genk and Royale are all in Championship fight, but also fighting for top2 positions, that are CL spots, with third having to settle with Europa league

at the moment, Antwerp on top with 46, same as Royale, with Genk on 45 points
last round, Genk is playing Antwerp at home, while Royale is host to Brugge, that is without chances to win title, Royale chances are best, since Brugge is out of form (Royale @1.6 win is a good pick, but low value), but will be all interesting from 18:30 today

Very interesting last round, not often there 3 teams still in fight for title on last matchday. Odds for Royale isn't something special, but probably worth some money, as they play Brugge who are irrelevant in this fight. Last year Union were leading league, but wasted title in Championship group, now they have great chance.
Genk - Antwerp is difficult to predict, I'll go with BTTS there.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Last year Union were leading league, but wasted title in Championship group, now they have great chance.
Genk - Antwerp is difficult to predict, I'll go with BTTS there.

what a round, what a finish

if someone thought that Arsenal or Dortmund are major bottlers this season, Royale (but also Genk) gave everything to ditch them
had title in the pocket until minute 89, then conceived and still were up to position 2, behind Genk at that point, but conceived one more in extra-time to lose the match and CL spot as well
in other match, Antwerp scored in 90+4 to secure a draw and take the title from Genk, who should be satisfied due to secure CL qualification spot

congrats to Antwerp on winning title, they were third after regular season, but came on top in the end

[Zackgeno96]

It would be nice to see some more big players in this league. A number of big Belgian names have reached the absolute world top, such as De Bruijne and Lukaku, but Hazard was also here. They all started in the Belgian league, but unfortunately there is not enough money to keep those players in this league. I think it mainly has to do with the sponsors present. If you want to keep or attract big players, you will have to look for bigger sponsors and not what is current. Mark van Bommel has of course done an excellent job with Antwerp this season.

[LTU_btc]

what a round, what a finish

if someone thought that Arsenal or Dortmund are major bottlers this season, Royale (but also Genk) gave everything to ditch them
had title in the pocket until minute 89, then conceived and still were up to position 2, behind Genk at that point, but conceived one more in extra-time to lose the match and CL spot as well
in other match, Antwerp scored in 90+4 to secure a draw and take the title from Genk, who should be satisfied due to secure CL qualification spot

congrats to Antwerp on winning title, they were third after regular season, but came on top in the end

It's one of craziest season ending that I saw for a while. All 3 contenders were leading table at different time of match. It's unbeleavable how Royale bottled title again, they had everything in their hands until 89th minute, but then conceded 3 goals against Brugge - team which fight for nothing in last round.
Other game where title winner was decided was exciting too. After Brugge took a lead in other game, title was in Genk hands, but Alderweireld goal on 64th minute brings first league title for Antwerp since 1956-57 season. Full stadium of specators in Antwerp was watching game of their team in large screens and I'm trying to imagine what going on in Antwerp now.

It would be nice to see some more big players in this league. A number of big Belgian names have reached the absolute world top, such as De Bruijne and Lukaku, but Hazard was also here. They all started in the Belgian league, but unfortunately there is not enough money to keep those players in this league. I think it mainly has to do with the sponsors present. If you want to keep or attract big players, you will have to look for bigger sponsors and not what is current. Mark van Bommel has of course done an excellent job with Antwerp this season.

Well, not every league can be Top 5 league. Blegian league role is development of young players and veterans coming here to end their career - something similar like Eredivisie, just smaller scale.

[casperBGD]

~snip
After Brugge took a lead in other game, title was in Genk hands, but Alderweireld goal on 64th minute brings first league title for Antwerp since 1956-57 season. Full stadium of specators in Antwerp was watching game of their team in large screens and I'm trying to imagine what going on in Antwerp now.

and what a goal that was, great shot from Alderweireld, just before the final buzzer
Antwerp was a bit lucky, but they were also fighting till last minute to get this title, and they deserved it, as well as direct group placement in CL

Brugge, that was a Champion for several years in a row, will have to settle with Conference league (similar to Ajax, but Ajax will get into Europa league), unusual seasons in those two countries

[LTU_btc]

In about less than 30 minutes Belgian season opener will be played - Super Cup game between Antwerp and Mechelen. Both teams aren't common to play for this trophy, but Antwerp unexpected took domestic double last season - cup and league. While Mechelen is cup runner-up.
Antwerp is significant favorite and also game will be played at their stadium - usually such games is held in neutral location.

[casperBGD]

-snip
Antwerp is significant favorite and also game will be played at their stadium - usually such games is held in neutral location.

it was intense, penalties in the end, but Antwerp secured another trophy

league starts tonight, Anderlecht is playing Royale Union, Royale was a surprise two seasons ago, but now they are title favorites from the start, and favorites against well-known Anderlecht

Brugge has a tough match against Mechelen, and Gent against Kortrijk, would probably avoid betting in first round, maybe goals tonight, over 2.5

[LTU_btc]

it was intense, penalties in the end, but Antwerp secured another trophy

league starts tonight, Anderlecht is playing Royale Union, Royale was a surprise two seasons ago, but now they are title favorites from the start, and favorites against well-known Anderlecht

Brugge has a tough match against Mechelen, and Gent against Kortrijk, would probably avoid betting in first round, maybe goals tonight, over 2.5

Antwerp started game very powerful and it looked that it will be easy game for them. But their 2nd goal was cancelled after VAR review and things changed a bit in 2nd half.
Brussels derby wasn't most exciting, Anderlecht didn't managed to show anything serious today and Union justified their favorite status.

[casperBGD]

Genk started great over new team in top flight, Molenbeek, 0:4 away win, although hosts have beaten Lyon in friendly match just before this round

Antwerp is also starting solid, have advantage at home against Cercle Brugge, 1:0 at the moment, few minutes to go

Club Brugge yet to play against Mechelen, should be a home win

[casperBGD]

bump

Royale is set to play another Friday encounter, against Standard this time
Standard Liege is not as good as previous seasons, and will have quite a hard time to get something there

from other matches, Anderlecht is playing current champions Antwerp, and Mechelen is hosting Gent, both on Sunday

[LTU_btc]

bump

Royale is set to play another Friday encounter, against Standard this time
Standard Liege is not as good as previous seasons, and will have quite a hard time to get something there

from other matches, Anderlecht is playing current champions Antwerp, and Mechelen is hosting Gent, both on Sunday

Watched a bit of game. Liege left with 10 men quite early when Balikwisha got second yellow card already in 1st half. It obviously didn't helped them as they were already down 0:1. They tried to equalize score, but in general, Union were better and achieved difficult win.
Sunday's games sounds good to watch, especially when big leagus still haven't started.

[Slow death]

as expected from union, they won in yesterday's game, although they had more possession of the ball, but they need to improve in some things, for example they made 24 shots but only 8 shots were on target, honestly it's something very bad, having too many shots off-target shots is not a good sign especially for a team that had the most possession of the ball and were playing against a very weak opponent, to make matters worse and that the union only managed to score only 1 goal, in 2 games that the union played only managed to score 3 goals, although they haven't conceded any goals yet, this shows that it's a team that doesn't score many goals

after losing in their first game against antwerp, cercle brugge managed to win in their second game, it was a game in which they scored 2 goals, the second goal was thanks to a penalty, their third game will be against racing genk who lost against kas eupen. and speaking of racing genk, today they lost in a game in which they had 75% possession of the ball, and surprisingly they made 28 shots that only 3 shots were on target, seriously and something difficult to understand, it looks like they took players with no talent and put to play, that number is not normal, while your opponent only made 5 shots and 2 were on target and scored a goal after 2 minutes and won the game.

I keep asking myself how racing genk fans must have been in the face of all this. today there is still the leuven game against rwdm, it is a very unpredictable game and I would not bet on it, tomorrow there is an interesting game which is anderlecht against antwerp, for me antwerp will win this game