The upcoming weekend promises to be another exciting round of football. With several major derbies, teams will battle in key matches for the top spots in the rankings. Some clubs are still desperately searching for form, while others aim to extend their good runs. Read all about the most interesting matches of the weekend in this article.
Friday, October 18
The weekend kicks off in the Antwerp district of Deurne, where Anderlecht will be hosted by Beerschot. The Antwerp side is currently at the very bottom of the standings, and only last Friday managed to pick up a point for the first time since the opening matchday. After eight consecutive defeats, the “Kiel Rats” drew against KVC Westerlo. Anderlecht, on the other hand, is in 4th place, trailing league leaders Genk by five points. A win against Beerschot could see the Mauves move up to second place. Anderlecht recently sacked their coach Brian Riemer after the team’s first loss. The interim coach is David Hubert, who previously coached Anderlecht’s youth team.
Saturday, October 19
A day later, West Ham United visits Tottenham Hotspur. Both teams are currently mid-table in the Premier League, but with few games played so far, things could change quickly. Tottenham has collected 10 points from 7 matches, placing them 9th. West Ham is slightly behind with 8 points, sitting in 12th place. Brazilian Tottenham striker Richarlison won’t play this week as he’s recovering from an injury, which means Spurs will lose a significant part of their attacking power.
Back in Belgium, Gent plays this weekend at Union’s Joseph Marien Stadium. The cup winners are having a noticeably poorer season than last year, when they were confidently on their way to the title. Union still has a lot to prove. However, their results have already secured them a spot in European football, with a Europa League game against Denmark’s Midtjylland next Thursday. Gent is holding up well in the Jupiler Pro League, currently in third place after 10 matches. They, too, are competing in European football.
Sunday, October 20
This Sunday also brings the Limburg Derby, with Sint-Truiden visiting KRC Genk. Genk is currently at the top of the table, but Antwerp could catch up with one win. To stay in the lead, Genk needs to secure victory in this match. For STVV, the story is quite different: the Canaries are sitting in 13th place, which puts them in the danger zone. A win could see STVV jump to mid-table.
In the Premier League, two English football powerhouses face off: at the iconic Anfield, Liverpool hosts Chelsea. Liverpool will try to maintain its top spot, while Chelsea has the chance to make a significant leap up the standings. Last year, Liverpool was among the top contenders, but wasn’t really in the running for the title. That could change this year. Especially Egyptian forward Mo Salah, who has already announced this will be his final season in a Liverpool shirt, wants to make this year special.
There are fears of violence at the derby between Standard Liège and Charleroi. The Walloon classic is notorious for its intense atmosphere, with confrontations sometimes occurring. Only 600 Charleroi supporters will be allowed, roughly half the usual capacity. Both teams are currently mid-table in the Jupiler Pro League and could really use the points.
In Italy, the reigning champions will be in action this weekend: Inter Milan plays a Serie A match against AS Roma. The Milan side won the title last year after a thrilling battle, sealing it in a derby against their city rivals. This week, they face one of the two teams from Rome—not Lazio, but AS Roma will host Internazionale at the Stadio Olimpico. Out of the last 81 matches between the two teams, AS Roma has won 21 times, while Inter Milan has secured 33 victories.
Magic Betting Live
Want to make these matches even more exciting? Check out the Magic Betting App or visit www.magicbetting.be for the best online sports betting options. Be sure to also check out the various promo offers. Take your chance and win!
