Match Overview

While Club Brugge suffered a recent loss at the hands of Gent, they will be strong favourites against an inconsistent Charleroi side. Charleroi is easily capable of surprises but also suffers from inconsistency. However, Brugge’s attacking strength, led by Hans Vanaken and Gustaf Nilsson, will likely be too much for Charleroi’s defence to handle. Given Brugge’s overall historical dominance in this fixture and their squad depth, they should win – probably 3-1.

Match Detail

• Date: 28th September 2024
• Time: 00:15
• Venue: Stade du Pays de Charleroi
• Competition: Belgian Pro League (Jupiler Pro League), Round 9

Pitch Report

The pitch at Stade Du Pays De Charleroi is known for being one of medium size and very balanced. It can cater to both sides of the ball, but the fast and technical play the pitch sometimes favours can help Club Brugge score the first goal.

Points Table

Team A (Charleroi) Analysis

• Key Player: Vakoun Issouf Bayo
• Probable Playing XI: Koffi (GK), Busi, Willems, Andreou, Marcq, Zorgane, Kayembe, Morioka, Bayo, Mbenza, Hosseinzadeh.

Charleroi will continue being inconsistent, although they have a lot of quality players in Bayo upfront. They also need to tighten up defensively, as a sign of recent lapses against Mechelen.

Team B (Club Brugge) Analysis

• Key Player: Hans Vanaken
• Probable Playing XI: Mignolet (GK), Mechele, Meijer (if fit), Spileers, Mata, Vanaken, Onyedika, Skov Olsen, Lang, Vetlesen, Nilsson.

Club Brugge is the better side but must address their defensive issues. With help from Vanaken and Nilsson, they will try to break down Charleroi’s defence.

Dream11 Pick

• Captain: Hans Vanaken
• Vice-Captain: Vakoun Bayo
• Other Picks: Simon Mignolet, Gustaf Nilsson, Andreas Skov Olsen, Ali Gholizadeh.

Public Opinion

Public opinion is mostly on the side of Brugge in this game. Despite the surprising loss to Gent, Brugge remains the more formidable team and has a good record of results against the opponents. As such, public opinion is defining Brugge as the favourite to win. There are reasons for that, of course. The most important one is the quality that Brugge has in their attacking formation, which has been very effectively utilized in past games against Charleroi. Similarly, key players in attacking positions such as Hans Vanaken and Gustav Nilsson would be able to make the most impact. Moreover, overall squad quality would also favour Brugge. In contrast, Charleroi has been largely unconvincing, and there is little evidence they will improve for the game against the current champions.

SWOT Analysis (Charleroi)

• Strengths: The attacking players like Bayo are talented and can exploit the defensive gaps, coupled with the creativity through the midfield by players like Morioka.
• Weaknesses: The inconsistent defence and the inability to learn the best ways to remain in form when it comes to facing the stronger sides are some of the major weaknesses of this club.
• Opportunities: The recent struggles by Club Brugge when it comes to defending could provide the best opening Charleroi know and exploit them through the counter-attacking that the manager knows best how to play against strong opponents.
• Threats: The attacking force of Brugge should form a perfect threat to Charleroi as they are likely to be led by the best attackers in the form of Vanaken and Nilsson. The two could be too much for Charleroi’s poor defence, making it a hard night for them.

SWOT Analysis (Club Brugge)

• Strengths: Stronger midfield with Vanaken & Vetlesen along the wings, attacking pace of Lang & Nilsson, and the historical friction between the two sides where Brugge has always held an edge over Charleroi.
• Weaknesses: Defensive vulnerability and openings, in the absence of Meijer, where they might fall victim to Charleroi’s pace and attacking football.
• Opportunities: Exploit Charleroi’s dip in form, with a tick in the box for their weakened performance from behind recently.
• Threats: Complacency and underestimating Charleroi, resulting in breaks and potential visits to their net.

Prediction
Club Brugge is a clear favourite in this match. Charleroi could try to exploit their defensive vulnerability after their last defeat against Gent, but the overall depth of Brugge’s squad, their experience, and such important players, as Hans Vanaken or Gustaf Nilsson, should give them a major advantage in this match. Therefore, while Charleroi can indeed create some scoring chances, their inferior attacking line and the previous domination of Brugge in this match make me think that a 3-1 victory for the reigning champion is the most likely outcome.