Champions League: Jupiler Pro League clubs and Real Madrid in serious danger

We have entered the money time of the Champions League. After six thrilling matchdays, clubs are fighting for their future with only two games left in this league phase.

The least we can say is that our Jupiler Pro League clubs are not in a good position in the standings. A month ago, Union suffered a major setback by losing at home to Marseille.

Club Brugge, meanwhile, failed to rise to the occasion. And the legendary king of Spanish football, Real Madrid, are also struggling. Belgium’s leading betting site Golden Vegas Sport presents the three must-watch matches of this penultimate matchday.

Bruges must save Belgian football

They are not necessarily the team we trust the most — especially after their defeat to Charleroi in the Belgian Cup. At the Stade du Pays de Charleroi, the Bruges side were completely outplayed.

Their league results are barely any better. One wonders why the blauw-zwart board decided to sack Nicky Hayen and bring back Ivan Leko before the break. The Croatian coach got off to the worst possible start with a 0–2 defeat against Arsenal.

Vanaken’s teammates now have no choice. They must achieve a perfect six points from six, and they will finish their campaign against Marseille at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Before that, a tricky trip to Kazakhstan awaits them, away to Kairat Almaty. Will they manage to avoid the trap?

*Odds are subject to change. End of the event: January 20 at 4:30 pm

Union face a Red Devils legend

While Club Brugge can still hope to qualify, the reigning Belgian champions missed their chance against Marseille. And their schedule is far more demanding — not to mention their position in the Champions League standings.

Sitting 27th, the Brussels side are just one point away from the play-offs. The problem? They travel to Bayern Munich, led by the unbeatable Vincent Kompany. The Red Devils legend is enjoying an outstanding season and has yet to taste defeat.

There is no need to build up false suspense: it is hard to see how the Belgians could pull off a shock here. The betting odds tell the story. Belgian bookmakers allow you to multiply your stake by 17 if you bet online on Saint-Gilloise. But that feels almost like playing the lottery when you know Bayern win every game in the Bundesliga.

*Odds are subject to change. End of the event: January 21 at 9 pm

Real on the edge

While our clubs’ Champions League results keep us entertained, the spotlight is firmly on Real Madrid. The Casa Blanca are facing unprecedented chaos. Xabi Alonso has been sacked, but that did not stop his successor Arbeloa from enduring a nightmare debut.

In the Copa del Rey, Madrid were beaten by Albacete (second division), which explains why they cannot afford to slip up in the Champions League. Currently sitting seventh, they are directly qualified for the next round, without going through the play-offs.

But to keep that advantage, they must win against Monaco. The match odds make Florentino Pérez’s club favourites, as Monaco have struggled in Ligue 1. Will Sébastien Pocognoli, former Belgian international and now coach of the Principality side, restore his reputation by pushing the Spanish capital even deeper into crisis?

*Odds are subject to change. End of the event: January 20 at 9 pm

For this seventh Champions League matchday, enjoy a 25% BetXtra with an online sports bet on the competition or on each match involving the Belgian teams.