Union Saint-Gilloise vs Beerschot Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise are expected to secure a 2-0 victory over Beerschot, leveraging their home advantage and superior quality to overcome the newly-promoted side’s defensive resilience.
The Belgian Pro League continues its exciting second matchday as Union Saint-Gilloise prepares to host newly-promoted Beerschot at the Stade Joseph Marien on Friday evening. Both teams will be eager to secure their first win of the season after drawing their opening fixtures.
Match Preview
Union Saint-Gilloise, last season’s runners-up, aim to build on their impressive 2023-24 campaign. The hosts kicked off their season with a goalless draw against Dender, and manager Sebastien Pocognoli will be keen to see his side find their scoring touch.
Beerschot, fresh from their promotion, held OH Leuven to a 0-0 stalemate in their return to the top flight. Manager Dirk Kuyt’s charges will face a stern test against one of Belgium’s top sides, but they’ll be buoyed by their solid defensive display last week.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Beerschot Lineups and Team News
Union Saint-Gilloise
The home side are grappling with injury concerns. Here’s a list of players unavailable for this match:
- Christian Burgess
- Ross Sykes
- Kamiel Van De Perre (new signing)
Nigerian forward Promise David, who made his debut as a substitute last week, could be in contention for a starting berth.
Possible Union Saint-Gilloise Lineup (4-3-3):Mac Allister, Kabangu, Castro-Montes, Sadiki, Puertas, Moris, Teklab, Leysen, Machida, Vanhoutte, Eckert
Beerschot
The visitors have fewer injury worries. Their list of unavailable players includes:
Ayouba Kosiah (long-term cruciate ligament injury)
After keeping a clean sheet in their opener, Kuyt may opt for an unchanged defensive trio.
Possible Beerschot Lineup (3-5-2):Sanusi, Matthys, Reyners, Michez, Plat, Verlinden, Matijas, Keita, Cargo, Tshimanga, Konstantopoulos
Key Battle: Midfield Mastery
The match could be won or lost in the middle of the park. Union’s experienced midfield trio of Sadiki, Vanhoutte, and Puertas will look to control possession and dictate the tempo. Beerschot’s Cargo and Sanusi will need to disrupt their rhythm and provide a platform for counter-attacks.
Form Guide
Union Saint-Gilloise
- Last match: Dender 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
- Overall form: D
Beerschot
- Last match: Beerschot 0-0 OH Leuven
- Overall form: D
Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in recent years, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter.
Where to Watch
Fans in various countries can catch the action live. Here’s the Union Saint-Gilloise vs Beerschot Live Streaming and TV Schedule for some countries:
- Belgium: Proximus PickxPlay Sports, DAZN Pro League 1, DAZN Belgium, Sporza
- France: DAZN France, DAZN1 France
- Netherlands: Ziggo Sport, Ziggo Sport 2
- Spain: Gol Stadium
- USA: ESPN+, ESPN App
Who Will Win?
While Beerschot showed defensive resilience in their opener, Union Saint-Gilloise’s quality and home advantage should prove decisive. Expect a tight affair, but the hosts’ attacking prowess could make the difference.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Beerschot Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Beerschot
Current Standings
After the first round of matches, both teams find themselves in mid-table positions. Union Saint-Gilloise sit 12th, while Beerschot occupy 9th place, both on one point.
The Bigger Picture
For Union Saint-Gilloise, this match represents an opportunity to kickstart their campaign and mount another title challenge. Beerschot, on the other hand, will be looking to prove they belong in the top flight and secure crucial points in their bid for survival.
As the Belgian Pro League unfolds, this early-season clash could set the tone for both teams’ ambitions in the 2024-25 campaign.
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