The Jupiler Pro Champions League Qualifiers kick off in full force on Saturday night. It's shaping up to be another exciting fight, as a lot can still happen. However, analyst/commentator Peter Vandenemppt has already ventured to make a prediction.
Due to the competition reform implemented last summer, the most important playoff competition will once again be completed with six teams this season. Compared to last season, when there were only four participants, there will be four more matches for each club.
What has been retained is the halving of points. As a result, the differences between scores during normal competition are much smaller. In principle, many changes in positions could occur over the coming weeks.
Union is in first place
As the winner of the regular competition, Union SG logically starts out as the POS leader. After half, the gap with the first chaser RSC Anderlecht became only three points. If the points are equal, then purple and white are at a disadvantage due to rounding when the points are halved.
Behind the two Brussels clubs are Antwerp and Club Brugge, each of which has 9 points less than Union. Cercle Brugge and KRC Genk already have 11 points. The last three teams mentioned, like Anderlecht, are at a disadvantage by an equal number of points.
Change one position
bee Sporza Daily Vandenemppt has already been asked about the final result. However, according to him, not much will change at the top of the rankings. The analyst expects Union to survive and Anderlecht to win the second ticket to the Champions League. Antwerp and Klopp will also retain their positions. Only Genk sees Vandenempt moving up one place over Cercle. “But I would like to say right away: the opposite is also true. Of course it will not be Circle No. 1, but it remains just a guess,” he still keeps his fingers crossed.
The final result according to Vandenemppt:
1 – Al-Ittihad Saint-Germain
2- Anderlecht RSC
3- Antwerp Club
4- Club Brugge
5- KRC Genk
6- Circle Brugge
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