Betfair Live Video: Final day title tustle in Brussels

18May 2013

Betfair

The Belgian Jupiler League Championship Playoffs reach a stunning climax on Sunday as the top four play their final games to decide who is crowned champions and who gets the European places.

Anderlecht v Zulte-Wagerem

Sunday 13:30

First up is the championship decider. It's winner takes all at the Vanden Stick stadium, Brussels.

Reigning champs Anderlecht only need a draw to retain the title but face the story of the season; little Zulte-Waregem have surprised all and enjoyed a magnificent break out campaign.

Anderlecht have a two point lead, the best squad in the division and a home game to seal their 32nd title, there is every reason to think they will live up to expectations and claim the glory in front of the expectant home fans. But Zulte have proven more than a match for the big boys in the Jupiler League this year, coach of the year Francky Dury has outwitted his opposition over and over again.

Anderlecht, coached by John van den Brom strolled through the regular season ending top whilst Zulte nipped at their heels. When the playoffs started however, Anderlecht seemed to wilt under the pressure and it took them until their fourth game to claim a win. Thankfully for their fans they have now found their championship form again and have recorded three straight victories. They go into Sunday with some renewed confidence.

Tall Congoese striker Mbokani has been their stand out performer this year, he continues to improve steadily and his link up with Jovanovic and Suarez has proved hard to defend against. Luca Biglia runs the midfield and once again there will be scouts watching his every move on Sunday.

The atmosphere in Brussels will be tense but expectant. Anderlecht can boast a formidable home record having only lost one game all regular season, but who was that against? Yup Zulte.

Zulte-Waregem are a force to behold and their success seems to be snowballing. 'Essevee' as they are known were never expected to still be in the reckoning by now but their impressive season never petered out. They need just a point to guarantee Champions League involvement and a win would give them their first ever title.

Coach Dury has done wonders and unearthed some real gems. Malanda Adje has been a rock in defensive midfield, Franck Berrier and Thorgan Hazard have shown their quality and creativity and up front they have a Senegalese striker names M'Baye Leye that just can't stop scoring goals in the playoffs.

There is comparatively little pressure on the underdogs considering it's a title decider and with their impressive away record and two wins over Anderlecht already this season it's hard to see them getting easily beaten. This could be a real thriller.

Recommended Bet:

Back Anderlecht to win @ 1.6

Back Anderlecht to win 1-0 @ 9.2

Club Brugge vs Genk

Sunday 13:30

The other important game comes from Bruges as Club Brugge play host to Genk at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Brugge sit in third, it's already enough for Europa League qualification but a win on Sunday and the prize could be so much more. If Anderlecht win their title decider then Brugge have a chance to steal into the Champions League at Zulte-Waregem's expense.

Considering the position they were in a just a couple of months ago that would be a stunning achievement. At one point it looked unlikely they would even make the Playoff shake up.

Coach Garrido now has his team firing and I fancy them to put on a show on Sunday. Last week they lost the crucial match to Zulte 5-2, it was a disastrous result but it all could have been so different if they hadn't seen Duarte red carded after just ten minutes. Before that match they had won four in a row and looked to be chasing down Anderlecht for the title.

Sunday will see the sentimental farewell of one time captain Carl Hoefkens, as long as the result looks comfortable expect him to be given some minutes. One man that the Club Brugge fans will definitely want to see again is Carlos Bacca. The Colombian hot shot and Belgian league top scorer was last week named player of the year, he's been unstoppable all season and is likely to sign off the campaign with at least one goal this weekend.

In support of their star man will be the usual foils of Refaelov, Lestienne and Gudjohnson. Also back in the team is Ryan Donk, the imposing Dutchman scored two from a deep lying midfield position last week, he'll take the armband and should add extra steel.

Genk should be on easy street by now. If they win by three or more on Sunday they could overtake their opposition and claim third spot equaling last year's record. Usually that would also mean a lucrative Europa League campaign to look forward to but after Genk's triumph in the cup last week they are already assured qualification for that competition.

Coach Mario Breen says his team will be equipped to put on a decent show but also hinted that he will give some opportunities to some youth teamers. It seems unlikely that Genk will be playing with much sense of urgency and their hosts should be able to capitalise. Captain Jelle Vossen is always a danger as is his strike partner Glynor Plet but don't expect them to get much service on Sunday.

Genk have had a pretty lame away record all year and considering their lack of motivation a Brugge win is an easy call. Only a point separated these two in the regular season but expect it to be six in the Playoff final standings.

Recommended Bet:

Back Club Brugge to win @ 1.78

Back Half Time/Full Time - Club Brugge/ Club Brugge @ 2.84