Due to Cercle Brugge’s victory over Eupen (0-2), Antwerp’s draw at AA Gent (2-2) and Club Brugge’s defeat in the top match against Anderlecht (1-2), it is all on a handkerchief in the standings of the Jupiler Pro League. With three match days left before the play-offs, the difference between the Buffalos, number seven, and Blue-Black, number three, is barely two points. These are the programs that still await the five top candidates for the Champions’ Play-Offs.
Club Brugge: Third with 45 points
In the end, Club lost 1-2 at home to its arch rival. A huge disappointment, especially with the second leg of the semi-finals of the Croky Cup in prospect. Apart from competition leader Union, Blue-Black is the only club that is still active on three fronts, which is currently costing them points in the competition. Because Club is still a long way off. With matches against direct competitor Racing Genk, OH Leuven fighting against relegation and STVV, which has been playing at a high level all season, the Bruges program is by no means simple.
The defeat against Anderlecht hit Club Brugge hard — © Isosport
Plan
Genk (away)OH Leuven (home)STVV (away)
Antwerp: Fourth with 45 points
Due to Club’s defeat and the draw against AA Gent, Antwerp has reached the same level as blue-black in the rankings. The Great Old also has cup fever against KV Oostende and has a similar program to that of the people of Bruges: STVV, a relegation candidate KV Kortrijk and on the final match day a top match against leader Union, although not a direct competitor. Due to the financial problems within the club, Antwerp should not miss out on the Champions’ Play-Offs, but after a sensational end like last season, you never know.
George Ilenikhena was again the saving angel in Antwerp — © Isosport
Plan
STVV (home)KV Kortrijk (away)Union (home)
Cercle Brugge: Fifth with 43 points
The Association is almost the odd one out among all the established top clubs. Unjustified this season, because Miron Muslic’s men are simply playing very well this season. Cercle even stayed in fourth place for a few months, but had to drop one place after a bad series at the end of January, in which it took 1 out of 9. With KV Mechelen in excellent form and two relegation-fighting teams in Charleroi and RWDM, the Association is still far from home. With 43 points from 24 matches, Cercle has an equal number of points to that of Racing Genk and AA Gent, but top scorer Kévin Denkey guided his team to two additional victories.
Kévin Denkey increased his goal total in the competition to 22 at the Kehrweg — © BELGA
Plan
KV Mechelen (home)Charleroi (away)RWDM (home)
Racing Genk: Sixth with 43 points
After two consecutive victories against RWDM and Charleroi, De Genkies have managed to get back into the top six. The vice champion started 2024 poorly with 3 out of 15, but seems to be recovering again. Nothing too early, because with Club Brugge, an admittedly wandering Standard and a visit to ‘t Kuipke van Westerlo, there are still three tough matches ahead. Moreover, Wouter Vrancken and co. not to suffer from the departure of Joseph Paintsil to LA Galaxy. Play-Off 1 without vice-champion, that’s hard to understand, isn’t it?
Sor gave Genk a narrow victory at Charleroi — © Isosport
Plan
Club Brugge (home)Standard (home)Westerlo (away)
AA Gent: Seventh with 43 points
AA Gent is clearly in a downward spiral after New Year’s. The Buffaloes have managed to win even more since the start of 2024 and saw a valuable victory slip through their fingers against Antwerp. The painful elimination in the Conference League against Maccabi Haifa clearly did Hein Vanhaezebrouck no good. Ghent still plays against Standard at Sclessin and against Union in the Dudenpark, and the Carolos will visit on the final day.
Kandouss and Depoitre slump to the missed victory against Antwerp — © BELGA
Plan
Standard (away)Union (away)Charleroi (home)