6 more rounds to go in the Jupiler Pro League. It is getting close to money time. And round 25 is going to be a very interesting round. Let's find out what is at stake this weekend and if some decisions already can be taken.

Standings

Let's start at the bottom for once. Cercle now has lost 4 games in a row, once again. And by the looks of it, they will not be able to avoid relegation to the Proximus League. This will be the best team which does relegate in the past 10 years. Normally ay the bottom you do find a team, which is just not good enough for a league. But I am amazed how to keep shooting themselves in their feet. Throwing away victory after victory. And if you can't win games, you are doomed!

And the top Club Brugge still has a healthy lead, but everything look a lot tougher than before the winter break. With the Europa League games coming up, they will switch their focus on reaching the next round. But they are still the big favorite to take the title! In my opinion at the moment there is only one team who could endanger them. AA Gent. 9 points behind, but at the moment they are just playing better football than all the other teams!

While Antwerp, Standard and Charleroi seems to be struggling, there is no doubt in my mind that all 3 of them will play Play Off 1.
So there is only 1 ticket left for the holy grail of Belgium football. And this weekend could again give us a lot more insight in who will certainly not will become number 6.
4 teams are still in the running according to the analysts, but according to me they are only with 3.
Genk, Zulte Waregem and KV Mechelen. The analysts keep on adding Anderlecht to this list, but with 4 points behind and 3 teams they should pass, they should collect at least 12 points out of their last 6 games. And I don't see this happening. For sure not because they have added another player to the injury list. Number 14 already!!!

The games

Anderlecht does start the weekend with a pretty tough away game at AA Gent. Not only because they have soo many injured key players and because AA Gent is playing like a dream. But also because Gent still hasn't lost at home this season. They won 10 and only did draw 2. Which is even better as Club Brugge. It just looks like they are unbeatable at home! If Anderlecht will loose, which is expected by me, than they can kiss PO I goodbye!

The saturday games are also interesting.

Cercle has again the game of the last chance. Again they can try to win and try to put pressure on Waasland Beveren again. They do play at home against KV Mechelen. KV Mechelen is a team with up and downs. Their first goalkeeper is out for the rest of the season, which could add some uncertainty in their defense. It is always different to play with another goalkeeper. Both teams really needs the 3 points to keep their dream alive. Both teams will have to go forward to win the game, because a draw would be the same as loosing. KV Mechelen has a slight advantage being the second best away team this season, while Cercle is the worst home team. But this late in the season with so much at stake this means nothing!

Charleroi hosts the game against Zulte Waregem. Last week Waregem finally broke their loosing streak, with a convincing 5-0 victory over Zulte Waregem. Their new striker Vossen scored twice, which should strenghten their believe in claiming that last PO 1 ticket. But Charleroi at home is a tough contender. I do expect a low scoring game, which could probably end in a draw. Zulte did play for the cup during the midweek, which is always a disadavantage.

Both other games on Saturday could be considered more or less friendly games already!

A small super Sunday

2 very interesting games on Sunday, kicking off with Standard against Club Brugge.

Like written in the beginning of the post, Club is looking for a convincing win after too many tough victories. Standard on the other side, sometime looks like a drifting ship. They can play incredibly good, but also just awful! The question which face will they have on Sunday. If they do play well, I can see them winning or at least drawing against the leader. Club has the disadvantage of the midweek cup game, which was again tougher than expected. If we look pure at the quality, it should be an easy win for Brugge. But luckiky things don't work like this in Football!

The other interesting game is between Antwerp and Genk.
If we take a look at their last 5 H2H games, you can understand why.

The quality of play of Genk looks to be improving, while Antwerp is more or less staying the same of even going south a little bit. Also the factor Lamkel Ze has a big influence on the dressing room of Antwerp, which is more or less divided! Never good to start a game with this in mind. Also Antwerp had a midweek cup game, which they did win. So the morale will be high enough but the stamina a little bit down.
Genk really needs at least one point to keep their PO I dreams alive, Antwerp still hoping on becoming second only very much would desire a win.
I do think that this would be an excellent game to bet on a draw or both teams to score. It will be a physical game and I can't rule out of red card!
Interesting games ahead of us! Let's enjoy them!
Cheers,
Peter