Belgian Pro League Round 17 Review

More dropped points at the top of the table in the Belgian Pro League this weekend as Dender find themselves back in things after another win. Read on for our review of all the action from the Belgian Pro League this past weekend.

Friday’s action: Dender show life as RAAL continue to struggle

RAAL La Louviere’s fine start to the season seems to be unravelling. The side welcomed bottom of the table Dender on Friday night and ended up losing 2-1. Goals from Bruny Bsimba and Roman Kvet were enough either side of Pape Moussa Fall’s goal for RAAL to give Dender their second win of the season. Dender are unbeaten in five now, while RAAL haven’t won in the Belgian Pro League for four games now.

Saturday’s action: Club Brugge and Union St Gilloise drop points

Dender’s win put pressure on Cercle Brugge, who were unable to respond at home to Standard Liege. Two goals in the space of seven minutes from Timothe Nkada and Edgaras Utkus into his own net gave Standard a 2-0 lead at half-time. Cercle struggled for efficiency yet again, and were unable to find an equaliser after Oluwasaen Adewumi scored late on to give them some hope.

There was controversy in Brussels as Union St Gilloise’s equaliser against Gent should not have stood. This was according to referee Sion Bourdeaud’hui after the game. Gent had taken the lead through Matisse Samoise just four minutes into the game. Kevin Mac Alister equalised for Union in the 77th minute but they were unable to force a victory.

Club Brugge were unable to take advantage of Union’s slip up. They lost 3-2 away to Sint Truiden in the game of the weekend. Raphael Onyedika gave Club the lead just after the 15 minute mark, only for Arbnor Muja to get the Canaries back on level terms. Ryotaro Ito then converted a penalty conceded by Brandon Mechele. Sint Truiden had plenty of chances on the break but were undone by Club’s pressure when Kaye Furo equalised. Andres Ferrari came on almost immediately after and his acrobatic winner in the 81st minute moved Sint Truiden into second place in the table.

Sunday’s action: Antwerp bouncing back, Westerlo hammer Anderlecht

KV Mechelen opened things up on Sunday with a home victory over Charleroi. A goal after 15 minute from Therence Koudou was enough for all three points. The 20-year-old French winger now has three goals in 15 Belgian Pro League games since joining in the summer from Pau. It was a bit of revenge for the home side, who had lost to Charleroi in the cup earlier in the week.

Westerlo ended a run of seven games without a win by dismantling Anderlecht at home. The Mauves had been in good form coming into the game but were behind immediately after a Arthur Piedfort’s opener. A brace for Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and one from Bryan Reynolds saw Westerlo 4-0 up before the hour mark and one of the most surprising results from the Belgian Pro League this weekend.

Antwerp’s first Belgian Pro League game under new head coach Joseph Oosting was the perfect way to celebrate the opening of a new stand at the Bosuil. Thibo Somers gave Antwerp the lead over Genk, with Mauricio Benitez and Vincent Janssen earning the Great Old a 3-0 win. It was a poor week for Genk who were also knocked out of the cup by Anderlecht.

The final game of the weekend ended 1-1 between OH Leuven and Zulte Waregem. Thibauld Verlinden continued his recent run of good form by opening the scoring inside 10 minutes. However, Zulte Waregem were level before half-time through Benoit Nyssen, his second goal of the Belgian Pro League season. Neither side could force a winner, meaning Zulte Waregem haven’t won in the league since the 19th of October. OH Leuven have only won one of their past five games.

League Table