It’s not often that three Belgian teams win on the same night in Europe and the Jupiler League is still feeling pretty good about itself as it gets ready for the next round of games. The three victorious teams – Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Club Brugge – all have another 24 hours rest and recreation (on the beach probably) and will not play until Sunday. Of the three, Standard Liege have the easiest game on paper as they entertain Lierse. Despite not managing to win a match so far – six draws in eight games – Lierse have, remarkably, the best defensive record in the Jupiler League: only six goals conceded. The visitors will again have Japanese national keeper Eiji Kawishima in the nets. Against that, Lierse have only found the goal on four occasions. We can therefore expect another siege at Sclessin, with the Ultras roaring on Les Rouches. They have a new hero now in Venezuelan playmaker Luis Seijas – superb against Copenhagen on Thursday night. Together with Franck Berrier, he should be able to unpick the Lierse defence.
Club Brugge visit Beerschot on Sunday and waiting for them in Antwerp will be a couple of old friends: Peter Van Der Heyden and Stijn Stijnen. Both played over 200 games for the Blauw en Zwart before joining Beerschot this season. Van Der Heyden left on good terms while Stijnen’s case became something of a cause célèbre after his girlfriend (now wife) and brother were discovered posting insulting messages about Stijnen’s replacement (Colin Coosemans) and other Brugge players when he was out of the team after injury. The club subsequently terminated his contract. On the footballing front, Beerschot are unbeaten at home in 13 games and could push the league leaders all the way.
Anderlecht have returned from Moscow with a few walking wounded. Fernando Canesin, Dieumerci Mbokani, Matias Suarez and Behrang Safari are all doubtful, as is Milan Jovanovic who missed the trip to Russia with a dodgy hamstring. That or he had a visa problem. Safari is likely to be replaced by fans’ favourite Olivier Deschacht while it’s not clear which – if any – of the other four will start. Genk were the only Belgian team to lose in Europe last week and will be keen to get back on winning ways. Worrying, Genk coach Mario Been said it was vital to avoid a defeat. The home team are short of centre backs and Khaleem Hyland could slot in; the boy says he’s played there for Trinidad. So that should be alright!
Saturday night should see Cercle Brugge stay in the top four. Bob Peeters’ boys line up against Sint Truiden. The bottom club, now with Franky Van der Elst at the helm, have one point to-date and they’ve conceded 25 goals. You have to feel sorry for Van der Elst, who always seems to get a short straw.
Gent will also be confident against Leuven and Christian Brüls should start after being impressive as a substitute last week. Mons, just edging out Standard from the top six, face Lokeren and Jeremy Perbet – on fire at the moment – will be keen to score against his old club who were reluctant to release him in the summer. In the remaining games, Westerlo face Zulte Waregem and Kortrijk play a KV Mechelen side still without Julien Gorius.
It’s forecast to be very hot in Belgium this weekend and we could just see a deluge of goals. With Anderlecht and Club Brugge facing tricky encounters, Trond Sollied might just fancy going to the top of the Jupiler League this weekend. Talking about Sollied last week, one of his old players – Guillaume Gillet – said he was the only coach he knew who went out for a drink with the players after a game. That was after they won mind.