THE FIXTURE
With the game being postponed just one month ago to allow Club more time to prepare for the European qualifiers, Club now finally gets the chance to add another chapter to its strong home run so far this season. Last season's edition of the game was not for the faint hearted, as Club scored the 4-3 by the very end of the game through Andres Skov Olsen, Christos Tzolis and Hugo Siquet (2x). Club also won the game at Westel, with Spileers and Vanaken helping Club to a 1-2 win.
Stats clearly speak in favour of Club Brugge: in 42 earlier top flight encounters, Club only lost twice (34W – 6D – 2L). The most recent defeat was in October 2022, when Lyle Foster scored twice in what would still be the only time Club went down against Westerlo in Bruges.
With 13 points from 7 games (4W – 1D – 2L), Club currently sits in fourth position, behind leades Union, and Anderlecht and STVV. A win would narrow the gap with Union to four points. So far this season, Club is still to lose points at Jan Breydel (3W). Last weekend's home encounter with STVV ended in a convincing 2-0 win, goals courtesy of Brandon Mechele and Nicolo Tresoldi.
Club also has some individual players standing out. Hans Vanaken heads the top scorer's list across all competitions with 6 goals, followed by Tzolis (4), Seys, Tresoldi and Mechele (each 3), Vermant (2) and Spileers and Forbs. Having scored 9 and only conceded 5, Club shows it is solid defensively and efficient. Tonight's stakes are high: a win helps Club to a fourth home win on a spin, and to a spot at the top of the table.
THE OPPONENT
Seven games in, KVC Westerlo is in 12th place with 9 points, alongside Cercle Bruges. The Kemphanen's start of the season is a mangled one, with three wins and four defeats so far. Having sent home Zulte Waregem (3-1), Antwerp (2-0) and STVV (0-3), they also lost out against Anderlecht, Cercle Brugge, Standard and KV Mechelen. Three of those nine points were won at home.
A recent personnel change in the training staff saw Ismaël Charaï (43) officially appointed as the team's T1. A former assistent to Philippe Clement at Rangers FC, the task at hand for Charaï is to bring stability to a young team (average age 23.9 years).
Having scored two goals so far, Griffin Yow, Josimar Alcocer and Isa Sakamoto outdo their colleagues, while Alcocer and Emin Bayram both have two assists to their name. Four players – Dogucan Haspolat, Emin Bayram, Andreas Jungdal and Tuur Rommens – played every single minute so far.
Two clean sheets for the visitors who hold the record of most free kicks awarded in the league: 1.14 per game on average, in fierce contrast with Club Brugge, only awarded 0.14 free kicks per game.
A series of new players joined Westerlo during the Summer window: Andreas Jungdal, Nacho Ferri, Oskar Annell, Antoñito Cordero, Lucas Mbamba, Seiji Kimura, Eliot Bujupi, Reda Laalaoui, Jan Bernat, Fernand Goure, Kyan Vaesen, Adedire Mebude and Sinan Bolat. A mix of young talent and more experienced players under the guidance of Charaï.
With a new coach at the steering wheel, Westerlo's young outfit might be able to cause an upset at Jan Breydel having already claimed a couple of decent away results. Stats may not be in their favour, but the team from the Kempen has proven earlier on that they are a force to be reckoned with away from home.
THE MAN IN BLACK
In charge of the game in hand between Club Brugge and KVC Westerlo will be Mr. Lawrence Visser, backed by his assistants Mr. Ruben Wyns and Mr. Thibaud Nijssen. Mr. Bert Verbeke will be fourth official, while Mr. Jan Boterberg will be in charge of VAR, assisted by Mr. Kevin Debeuckelaere. Mr. Mario Vanlommel will be tonight's referee observer, evaluating the refereeing staff.