PLOEG NEWS
OH LEUVEN
OH Leuven is seventh in the rankings with 15 points thanks to wins against Waasland-Beveren (1-3), Standard (1-0), AA Gent (2-3) and Zulte Waregem (2-1) and draws against Eupen (1-1), KRC Genk (1-1) and Anderlecht (2-2). A strong start for the promoter who was also able to score in every league match every time. Marc Brys' team won 7 out of 12 at home and will also want to get a good result against Club. Last summer the Leuven team saw several players leave, including Henkinet (Standard), Gilis (Lierse Kempenzonen) and Van den Bergh (Beerschot via AA Gent). New names to Den Dreef include Iversen (leased Leicester City), Romo (Silkeborg), De Norre (leased KRC Genk), Jemelka (leased Sigma Olomouc), Bese (AC Le Havre), Malinov (CSKA Sofia), Al-Tamari (Apoel Nicosia), Vlietinck (leased Club), Osabutey (leased Werder Bremen) and Eppiah (leased Leicester City). At the home team, Jérémy Perbet and Thibaut Vlietinck (rented from Club) have sporting pasts at Blauw-Zwart.
CLUB BRUGGE
Blauw-Zwart will visit Oud-Heverlee Leuven for its third consecutive away match. The matches follow in quick succession, but once again the national champion is resolutely going for the three points. Last weekend, thanks to a 1-1 draw against Standard, Club came level with league leader Charleroi, which lost against KRC Genk (1-2). A possible win would put the West Flemish in the lead alone as the Carolos' league match against Waasland-Beveren was postponed due to the high number of covid infections at the Waaslanders. Blauw-Zwart achieved fine statistics over the past nine days of play. With 22 goals scored and six against, the West Flemish have not only the best offense, but also the best defense. In the last three league games, Krépin Diatta scored the opening goal each time. Thanks to the deserved 2-1 victory against Zenit, Philippe Clement's team will in any case have extra confidence in Leuven.
The selection: Horvath, Shinton, Lammens, Sobol, Deli, Ricca, Mata, Mechele, Van Der Brempt, Balanta, Schrijvers, Vanaken, Vormer, Rits, De Ketelaere, Van Den Keybus, Diatta, Badji, Dennis, Lang and Okereke.
REFEREE - ALEXANDRE BOUCAUT
Alexandre Boucaut is in charge of the league match at Den Dreef. He is assisted by linesmen Pieter Becquet and Vito Di Vincenzo, fourth official is Wesli De Cremer. The video referee is Wesley Alen.
IN THE VIEWER
OH LEUVEN - XAVIER MERCIER
Xavier Mercier is the assist king of the Jupiler Pro League with eight decisive passes. In Europe, he leads the ranking of assisters together with Harry Kane (Tottenham). The 31-year-old Frenchman has game insight, good passing and is physically strong. Mercier has been in Marc Brys' starting lineup each of the past nine playing days and could also score twice for his team. The attacking midfielder is in his second season at Den Dreef and has become an absolute star at OH Leuven. Previously he played for Cercle Brugge, KV Kortrijk, US Boulogne and Guingamp.
