In what has been a remarkable title race in Belgium, it all comes down to the wire on Sunday. Antwerp, Union St. Gilloise and Genk all go into the last day of the season with hopes of winning the league. Genk hosts Antwerp, while Union welcomes Club Brugge on Sunday at 18:30 CET. Here are the final day permutations for all three teams involved. As a top two finish also leads to a Champions League spot, the permutations for a top two finish will also be discussed.
Royal Antwerp
The Great Old head single the last match round with the advantage in this title race. Half a point ahead of Union and 1.5 points over Genk, Mark van Bommel’s side will clinch the title at the Cegeka Arena with a win, or if both games end drawn. Aiming for a first title since 1956/57, they are in the commanding position for Sunday.
If they are unable to clinch the title, second spot becomes important as well, as that is the other spot in Champions League qualifying. For Antwerp to finish second, they would need to collect less points than Union on Sunday. Regardless, as long as they avoid defeat to Genk, a top two place is assured.
The only way for Antwerp to finish third is by losing in Limburg, while Union avoids defeat at home.
Union St. Gilloise
The 11-time Belgian champions Union St. Gilloise has not won the title in nearly 90 years. Being pipped by Clun Brugge a year ago, Karel Geraerts’ men still have an excellent chance at finishing the season on top.
For them to clinch the title, a victory at home against Club Brugge would need to be combined with Antwerp dropping points. That is the only scenario that would see them win the title.
A win sold clinch a spot in the Champions League qualifying for the second year running. If Antwerp also wins, the capital club will finish the season in second. Second spot will also be theirs if Genk loses or if both games are drawn.
To lose out on UCL football, Union would have to lose to Club, while Genk avoids defeat. In that case, Union would enter the playoff round of the Europa League.
Racing Genk
Genk was the last team not named Club Brugge to win the Jupiler Pro League title, back in 2019/20. While they have the most difficult ask ahead of the three, a fifth league title is still possible.
For that to happen, Wouter Vrancken’s charges must beat Antwerp at home, while Union fails to beat Club Brugge. That is their only hope of ending up on top.
Champions League football will return to Limburg of Genk earns more points than Union. A win will surely see them finish at least second. If both Genk and Union win, then the Smurfs will end the season in second. The other scenario which would see Genk end up in second place is by drawing while Union loses.
Genk will finish third if they lose, or both games are drawn. Thus, in order for them to finish higher than third, they really need a win on Sunday.
