Betfair Live Video: Anderlecht to bounce back as Belgian playoff pressure mounts

12May 2013

Betfair

With a Europa League playoff position up for grabs in Holland and an exciting end to the Belgian playoffs approaching, Betfair Live Video has more than enough drama in store this Sunday afternoon. Lewis Watson takes a closer look...

PEC Zwolle vs ADO Den Haag

Sunday 13:30

With a Europa League playoff place still a possibility, Raymond van Barneveld's beloved ADO Den Haag travel to the Ijsseldelta Stadium knowing that three points is vital if they are to leapfrog rivals Heerenveen in dramatic, last day style.

The visitors sit only two points behind the all important eighth spot and come into this fixture with a moral boosting victory over Feyenoord in their last outing - which notably ended the Rotterdam side's push for Champions League football.

With five places and four points separating these two sides, it would be fair to say that both have endured an inconsistent campaign. With little movement from both their current league positions throughout the season, it is no surprise that neither side has managed to put a run of three wins together throughout the year. This combined with the lack of a prolific goal scorer between them; both sides have had to rely on grinding out victories and taking points off the sides around them.

Prolific... perhaps not, but Den Haag's Dutch striker Mike van Duinen has performed well this season. With eleven goals to his name and an ever present in the starting eleven, the 21 year old looks to have a bright future ahead of him in the Eredivisie.

With nothing to play for except for an eleventh placed finish, the hosts will come into this fixture with their summer holiday heads on. Escaping the relegation playoffs with back to back wins a fortnight ago, Art Langeler's side will be happy with their debut Eredivisie season safe in the knowledge that they will be playing top flight football again next campaign.

Although they have only managed to pick up nine victories - their 3-1 away win to PSV will surely rank highly on the list of this season's achievements.

Relying on Heerenveen or Groningen dropping points, Den Haag know that their fate is out of their hands. However, with three points the minimum requirement for Maurice Steijn's side, expect them to come out strongly in Zwolle doing all they can to keep the pressure up on a nervy last day in the Eredivisie. With everything else settled, all eyes will be on this race for eighth place, which in turn will dot the I's and cross the T's on another exciting Eredivisie season.

Recommended Bet:

Back ADO Den Haag to win @ 2.3

Back a 2-0 ADO Den Haag win @ 6.0

Genk vs Anderlecht

Sunday 17:00

With Anderlecht getting their title bid back on track last weekend, the topsy-turvy nature of the Belgian playoff continues this weekend as Genk play hosts in a crucial clash at the Cristal Arena.

With four points being taken in four playoff fixtures, Anderlecht fans were rightly starting to fear the worst as the chasing pack closed in on the reigning title holders. After winning the regular season by a comfortable distance, the playoff format has played into the hands of the title pretenders with pressure coming from all angles. A Genk win could see them move top after starting this weekend in fourth spot, and with three games to go the smallest of margins could end up deciding whose home the Belgian title goes to.

The hosts have made easier work of the playoffs than their visitors so far. Taking eleven points from seven games, Genk have looked genuine title contenders and confirmed this status last weekend with a phenomenal 4-0 away win against in-from Zulte-Waregem.

Finishing third in the regular season, Mario Been's side were considered the 'best of the rest' as the chasing pack failed to keep up with the pace set by Anderlecht and Zulte. With the best form coming into the playoffs, a big push for the title was expected and so far the Genk boys haven't disappointed.

In-form striker Jelle Vossen has looked dangerous all season. Scoring twenty goals in the previous two seasons, he is only three away from that incredible feat of consistency again, and with three games remaining the Belgian striker will fancy his chances of reaching that target.

With only two wins from their seven playoff games so far for Anderlecht, John van der Brom knows the importance of this weekend's fixture and will be eager as ever to secure back to back wins for the first time since February.

As ever, their strike force will be their main threat. Mbokani, de Sutter and Jovanovic haven't been shy of goals this season and will be confident of finding holes in a Genk defence that have been rather generous to attackers this season.

An Anderlecht win will see them retain their two point lead at the top of the tree (at the very least), and with Zulte and Club Brugge facing tricky away ties the purple and white's could have one hand back on their title after this weekend has concluded...

Recommended Bet

Back Anderlecht to win @ 2.28

Back 2-1 Anderlecht @ 9.4