Club Brugge - Zulte Waregem: the Club Facts

Unibet - Number 1 in responsible play

Club won all its league matches in this calendar year with at least 2 goals scored. If Club can win against Essevee, it will book its 10th victory in a row. It has been just under 17 years since Club last managed this. Club and Essevee are playing each other in First Division for the 42nd time. Club won 16 times in the 20 previous duels (last time 4-0 on 26/12/2019), played 1 draw (1-1 on 11/08/2013) and lost 3 times (last time 1-3 on 23/11/2018). If Club can prevail Sunday, it will win for the 25th time against Zulte Waregem in First Division.

In the outward match, Club achieved its biggest ever away win at the Rainbow Stadium. Club recorded its biggest win of the season there (0-6). Club took an early lead after an own goal. Before half-time, Krmenčík (2x) and Vanaken also scored. After halftime, Charles De Ketelaere and Éder Balanta also shook the nets. In the last 14 mutual confrontations, Club lost only once (W11, D2) and scored an average of 3 goals per match (42 goals in those matches). Moreover, Club Brugge has already kept the nets dry for 309 minutes against Zulte Waregem. Francky Dury's team could score the last time against Club in November 2018.

In the past 20 home matches against SVZW, Club was able to score in 19 matches and kept the zero 10 times. Moreover, this is the duel between the best home team (Club Brugge scored 31 in 42) and the second best away team (Zulte Waregem collected 26 in 42) in the Jupiler Pro League. Only Club achieved more points in away matches than Essevee with 32 out of 39. This is also the showdown between the best 2 clubs in the return round of the league. Club scored 30 out of 30 and Essevee achieved 25 out of 36. As coach, Philippe Clement is still unbeaten against Zulte Waregem (W8, D2).

THE OPPONENT

The club was still in 16th place after 11 playing days after an 8 out of 33. Since then, the club started a catch-up race, which took SVZW to the 6th spot in the meantime. With 3 points behind 4th ranked KV Oostende, the team of Dury, Simons and De fauw is still in contention for a place in Play-Off 1.

Essevee collected 26 points on the road. It won against Excel Mouscron (0-1), Cercle Brugge (1-3), KAA Gent (0-3), Antwerp (0-1), Eupen (2-3), Waasland-Beveren (1-5), STVV (1-2) and KV Kortrijk (1-2), it played equal against Standard (2-2) and Sporting Charleroi (1-1) and it lost to Beerschot VA (3-1), Oud-Heverlee Leuven (2-1), KV Oostende (3-0) and KRC Genk (3-2). This winter, the club reinforced itself with defender Cheik Thiam [own promise] and striker Antoine Colassin [rented from RSCA]. Essevee said goodbye to striker Mikael Soisalo (Riga FC (Lva)].

The club is already 5 matches in a row unbeaten and Essevee has already won 13 times in the regular league this season, the highest number for the club since the 2016-17 season, when it finished the regular league third. Essevee's striker duo is in form. Each of Zulte Waregem's last 11 league goals were finished or indicated by Gianni Bruno (7 goals, 1 assists) and Jean-Luc Dompé (2 goals, 2 assists). Of ale goalkeepers who played at least 20 matches in the Jupiler Pro League, only Simon Mignolet (78.7%) and Rafael Romo (of OHL - 75%) have a higher save percentage than Essevee goalkeeper Louis Bostyn (72.9%). It has been since November 2012 that Zulte Waregem could once again keep the zero at Jan Breydel.

MILPALS

Charles De Ketelaere is awaiting his 60th official match for Club Brugge. He can also play his 40th league match. For Matej Mitrovic, it could be the 40th official match at Club. Ruud Vormer can finish his 225th league match for Blauw-Zwart. Odlin Kossounou and Matej Mitrovic can play their 30th league match for Club.

THE REFEREE

Kevin Van Damme was appointed ref for the league match against Zulte Waregem. He will be assisted by linesmen Christophe Baillieul and Philippe Vandecauter. Fourth official is Christof Dierick. The VAR is Nicolas Laforge, flanked by Jordy Vermeire and Istvan Lagaert. It is only the second match Club has conducted by the 30-year-old ref. Earlier this season he whistled another West Flanders derby by Club on the KVO pitch (1-3). From Essevee he has flopped 3 previous matches. One of those was on away and it resulted in a win. This season Van Damme has not yet conducted any matches of Zulte Waregem.

OTHER MATCHES THIS MATCHDAY

Fri 05/03 20:45 Sp. du Pays de Charleroi - K. Sint-Truidense VV
za 06/03 16:15 KAS Eupen - Oud-Heverlee Leuven
Sat 06/03 18:30 KV RS Waasland-SK Beveren - K. Beerschot VA
Sat 06/03 20:45 R. Antwerp FC - KV Kortrijk
Sun 07/03 13:30 R. Excel Mouscron - R. Standard de Liège
Sun 07/03 18:15 RSC Anderlecht - YR KV Mechelen
Sun 07/03 20:45 KRC Genk - Cercle Brugge KSV
Mon 08/03 20:45 KAA Gent - KV Oostende