Royal Antwerp vs Cercle Brugge prediction, preview, team news and more | Jupiler League 2023-24 

Royal Antwerp and Cercle Brugge will battle for three points in a Jupiler League Championship playoff clash on Sunday. The home side will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Royal Union in the Belgian Cup final on Thursday.

Koki Machida's goal in first-half injury time proved to be the difference between the two sides and helped his side win a third cup and first in over a century.

Antwerp will turn their focus back to the league scene where their last game saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat at home to Club Brugge.

Cercle Brugge, meanwhile, claimed a 4-1 home win over Genk last weekend. They went behind following Anouar Ait El Hadj's ninth-minute strike but were level just three minutes later through Felix Lemarechal. Malamine Efekele and Thibo Somers added first-half goals to put them 3-1 ahead at the break. Ahoueke Denkey added a second-half strike to ensure the victory.

The victory left the Groen en Zwart in fifth spot in the table on 33 points. Antwerp are sixth on 29 points.

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Royal Antwerp vs Cercle Brugge Head-to-Head

Royal Antwerp have 41 wins from the last 91 head-to-head games. Cercle Brugge were victorious on 20 occasions while 23 games ended in a draw. Their most recent clash came in April 2024 when Antwerp claimed a 1-0 away win.

Royal Antwerp form guide (all competitions): L-L-L-L-W

Cercle Brugge form guide: W-D-L-L-D

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Royal Antwerp vs Cercle Brugge Team News

Royal Antwerp

There are no injury or suspension concerns for the hosts. However, Jean Butez and Björn Engels are doubts.

Injuries: None

Doubtful: Jean Butez, Bjorn Engels

Suspension: None

Cercle Brugge

Edgaras Utkus is unavailable due to injury, while Flavio Nazinho and Jordan Semedo are doubts.

Injury: Edgaras Utkus

Doubtful: Flavio Nazinho, Jordan Semedo

Suspension: None

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Royal Antwerp vs Cercle Brugge Predicted XI

Royal Antwerp Predicted XI ( 4-2-3-1): Senne Lammens (GK); Owen Wijndal, Toby Alderweireld, Zeno Van Den Bosch, Ritchie De Laet; Eliot Matazo, Mandela Keita; Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Gyrano Kerk; Vincent Janssen

Cercle Brugge Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Warleson Oliveira (GK); Leonardo Da Silva, Jesper Daland, Christian Ravych, Hugo Siquet; Hannes van der Bruggen, Abu Francis; Thibo Somers, Felix Lemarechal, Malamine Efekele; Ahoueke Denkey

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Royal Antwerp vs Cercle Brugge Prediction

Royal Antwerp have had a disappointing title defense and also saw their hopes of ending the season with success ended by Royal Union in the Cup.

Cercle Brugge ended their four-game winless run with their victory last week and will be looking to win consecutive games for the first time since February.

Antwerp are unbeaten in the last eight head-to-head games, winning the last five on the bounce. We are backing the two sides to share the spoils in a low-scoring stalemate.

Prediction: Royal Antwerp 1-1 Cercle Brugge