Cercle Brugge vs Anderlecht

Fresh off a disappointing continental outing, Anderlecht return for domestic action with a trip to Cercle Brugge for round two of the Belgian Pro League on Sunday at Jan Breydel Stadium.

The Purple and White were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League second qualifying phase following a penalty shootout defeat to Hacken on Thursday, so the visitors will be aiming for the perfect response as they look to sustain their early charge in the top flight.

Match preview

It all looked set for Anderlecht after last week’s 1-0 first-leg triumph in Brussels, but the tie unravelled late on in Gothenburg in the most dramatic fashion.

Leading on aggregate deep into stoppage time, the Belgians were dealt a crushing blow as Simon Gustafson calmly tucked away a penalty to level the tie at 2-2 across both legs, pushing the game to extra time, where Besnik Hasi’s men eventually bowed out on penalties.

Back on the domestic front, Anderlecht will aim to pick up where they left off, having secured a commanding 5-2 victory on matchday one that sees them top of the Pro League standings.

As they make the trip to Bruges, the visitors will be looking to address their away struggles, after ending the 2024-25 season with four defeats from their final six top-flight outings on the road, but their dominance in this fixture should offer a boost.

Anderlecht have won six of their last seven meetings with Cercle Brugge, drawing the other, with every victory coming without conceding and each secured by a margin of at least two goals.

Beyond trying to break a dismal head-to-head record, the hosts come into this clash still searching for their first win of the season after playing out a goalless draw at Dender on matchday one.

Cercle Brugge had an underwhelming campaign last term, only just preserving their top-flight status via the playoffs after placing 16th in the regular season and trailing St Truiden by two points in the relegation round, so Groen en Zwart will be eager to start picking up points early to steer clear of another scrap.

This fixture holds special significance for newly appointed manager Onur Cinel, who will be taking charge of his first competitive home match since assuming the reins on July 1.

Cinel did not enjoy the most encouraging pre-season, having lost three and won one of his four friendlies before last weekend’s stalemate at Dender, though Cercle ended the 2024-25 season at Jan Breydel on a strong note, which could serve as inspiration heading into Sunday’s encounter.

Groen en Zwart won four of their last five home matches to close out the previous campaign (L1) and will hope to continue in that vein as they return to familiar surroundings for the first time in over two months.

Cercle Brugge Belgian Pro League form:

Cercle Brugge form (all competitions):

Anderlecht Belgian Pro League form:

Anderlecht form (all competitions):

Team News

Cercle Brugge emerged from their trip to Dender with a clean bill of health, but Cinel may be tempted to shake things up after his front two of Alan Minda and Steve Ngoura failed to produce anything significant, with Alama Bayo pushing for a start.     

Meanwhile, 19-year-old midfielder Abdoul Ouattara remains a doubt for this weekend’s clash due to an ongoing injury concern.

Anderlecht also face fitness concerns, with teenage forward Elyess Dao nursing an ankle problem and right-back Killian Sardella also a doubt for the trip to Bruges.

Hasi is expected to make changes following Thursday’s taxing affair in Sweden, with Thorgan Hazard in line for a starting berth after coming off the bench in midweek.

The Belgian attacker made a blistering start to the new league campaign by netting a brace in the win over Westerlo, while Kasper Dolberg, who sat out that match, could return to lead the line after scoring Anderlecht’s only goal against Hacken.

Cercle Brugge possible starting lineup:

Delanghe; Nazinho, Utkus, Ravych, Magnee; Gerkens, Van der Burgen, Diabi, Agyekum; Minda, Bayo

Anderlecht possible starting lineup:

Coosemans; Augustinsson, Simic, Hey, Maamar;  Llansana, Cat; Degryf, Hazard, Angulo, Dolberg

We say: Cercle Brugge 1-2 Anderlecht

Anderlecht come into this tie as favourites given their commanding recent record in this fixture, and while a win looks likely, Cinel’s first competitive outing at home could stir a spirited response from Cercle Brugge, so a tight encounter may be on the cards.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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