Cercle Bruggevs.Kortrijk

Groen en Zwart have been afforded less time to prepare for this clash following their European adventures on Thursday night, whilst Der Kerels have had seven days to mull over a defeat to Gent last time out.

Match preview

Following a fourth-placed finish in the final standings of the Belgian Pro League during 2023-24, Cercle Brugge secured a deserved spot on the continental stage this campaign, with the Brugge-based side now into the third round of Europa League qualifying after getting the better of Kilmarnock.

A 1-1 draw in Scotland on July 25 set the second leg up for a dramatic conclusion to the tie, and that is exactly what transpired at Jan Breydelstadion, with a first-half strike from attack-minded midfield Thibo Somers proving enough as Warelson kept a brilliant clean sheet in the hosts' net.

Despite their sensational performances on the continent as a third-round clash with Norwegian giants Molde begins next week, Cercle Brugge have serious problems to address on the domestic scene after a damaging defeat at the home of Westerlo on the opening weekend of the Pro League term.

At just 19 years of age, Lucas Stassin bagged a brilliant brace for Timmy Simons's troops, before a strike from former Hull City winger Allahyar Sayyadmanesh secured a comfortable three-goal success for the hosts at Het Kuipje.

Suffering the heaviest defeat of any side in the division during the first round of fixtures, Groen en Zwart have slumped to rock bottom of the very early Pro League standings, one point behind local rivals Club Brugge who drew to Mechelen last time out.

Requiring a two-legged relegation playoff against second-tier Lommel to save their Pro League fate at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, it is no surprise to see that Kortrijk have commenced the new campaign with a worrying result, losing narrowly at home to Gent last weekend.

Following a cagey and goalless first period at Guldensporenstadion the contest burst into life, with Icelandic striker Andri Gudjohnsen breaching the net of Der Kerels goalkeeper and compatriot Patrik Gunnarsson to steal all three points for Wouter Vrancken's charges on the first Sunday of the term.

Including pre-season friendlies, Kortrijk are enduring a four-game losing streak, being defeated in that quartet of fixtures by an aggregate scoreline of 13-4, meaning that confidence will not be flowing through the veins of the visitors ahead of Sunday's meeting with Cercle.

There has to be concerns for Der Kerels' ability to pose a consistent and significant threat at the top end of the pitch this season following the departure of a key attacking star over the summer, with Isaak Davies, who netted 12 goals in the Pro League during 2023-24, returning to parent club Cardiff City.

Kortrijk's recent record at Jan Breydelstadion points towards a difficult afternoon for the visitors on Sunday afternoon, as Der Kerels have failed to pick up a point or find the net during each of their last three matches against Cercle Brugge at the venue, with the aggregate scoreline reading 6-0.

Cercle Brugge Belgian Pro League form:

Cercle Brugge form (all competitions):

Kortrijk Belgian Pro League form:

Team News

Cercle Brugge are expected to be without the services of right-back Ibrahim Diakite, who is still recovering from a muscle injury sustained at the start of July.

As a result, it is likely that Christiaan Ravych continues on the right side of the Groen en Zwart backline as Kortrijk come to town this weekend.

The hosts are short of options in their engine room due to the absence of Nils De Wilde, who is fighting back from a hamstring strain suffered in late April.

After failing to find the net against Gent last weekend, Kortrijk could make some attacking alterations, with the likes of Nacho Ferri and Mounaim El Idrissy pushing for starts.

Consequently, the places of Massimo Bruno and Takuro Kaneko in the XI are under threat, unless Der Kerels opt to switch to a conventional back four.

Cercle Brugge possible starting lineup:

Warelson; Utkus, Popovic, Daland, Nazinho; Francis, Agyekum, Augusto, Van der Bruggen; Denkey, Ouattara

Kortrijk possible starting lineup:

Gunnarsson; Alebiosu, Mampassi, Silva, Fujii, De Neve; Mehssatou, Kaneko, Ambrose, Fossum; El Idrissy

We say: Cercle Brugge 2-0 Kortrijk

After a morale-boosting European success on Thursday night, Cercle Brugge should be raring to collect their first maximum of the Pro League season.

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