Jupiler Pro League: Everything you need to know about Matchday 3

A quiet start, but we're already at Matchday 3. So far, only Anderlecht has managed to win its first two matches. Right behind, Union stays close with four points, just like Standard, who face Genk in an exciting clash at Sclessin.

Club Brugge, for its part, has already tasted defeat, falling to Mechelen on Matchday 2 of the Jupiler Pro League. The pressure is already mounting on the Bruges side as they face neighbours Cercle in an always-heated derby.

Another derby will take place in the Hainaut region. La Louvière will face Charleroi in a match that also promises tension. After being knocked out of the UEFA Conference League in the second qualifying round by Hammarby, Charleroi started their league campaign with two draws. La Louvière fared worse, losing both matches. High stakes await—misery for the losers.

Here’s everything you need to know about Jupiler Pro League Matchday 3 to place your bets wisely on Belgium’s top online sportsbook: Golden Vegas Sport.

Bruges Derby: An iconic clash

Belgium’s runners-up last season, the Blauw en Zwart came into this year with high hopes, already dented by last week’s loss in Mechelen. Behind the Casernes, Nicky Hayen’s men fell 2-1.

This week is already a major test. In addition on Wednesday in the Champions League qualifiers, Club Brugge now hosts local rivals Cercle at the Jan Breydel stadium.

It’s one of the most iconic clashes in Belgian football. Beyond geographic proximity, the historic rivalry gives every encounter a special intensity, both on the pitch and in the stands.

Should Club lose to their arch-rivals, Nicky Hayen’s credibility could take another hit. So, can the favourites bounce back against their neighbours despite a shaky season start?

*Odds may change. Event ends: August 9, 4:00 PM

La Louvière vs Charleroi: Regional supremacy on the line

Further south in our dear Belgium, regional supremacy will also be at stake. Nineteen years later, fans will once again witness a La Louvière – Charleroi clash. The atmosphere promises to be electric between fanbases that don’t exactly get along.

On the pitch, things will be just as intense. La Louvière is the only team in the Jupiler Pro League yet to earn a single point. “The league started two weeks too early for us. Let’s be patient, because I think we can have a good season. My players and I—we have to be brave soldiers this summer,” said Fred Taquin.

The coach faces a tough schedule. The Wolves hosted Standard before travelling to Gent. In both matches, they deserved at least a point. “Against Standard, we played too high. In Gent, way too low. Against Charleroi, we’ll have to find the right balance. I would’ve liked to start the work week with a draw,” he admitted.

Charleroi, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season after a miraculous draw in Leuven on Matchday 1, coming back from two goals down in added time.

Rik De Mil’s men will have to go for all three points without a key player: Nikola Stulic, suspended after receiving two yellow cards in six minutes against Sint-Truiden.

*Odds may change. Event ends: August 10, 1:30 PM

Rednic’s Standard already facing a tougher schedule

Technically, Anderlecht shouldn’t be alone at the top of the table. Hosting Dender at home, Standard were also expected to secure maximum points. The Rouches did the hard part, with Ayensa opening the scoring around the hour mark, but the visitors managed to equalise with 15 minutes to go.

“Our new players aren’t physically ready yet. I had to sacrifice Thomas Henry by keeping him on for the full 90 minutes even though he’s not there yet. Dender were solid, so the result is fair,” admitted Mircea Rednic, who acknowledged that Dender could have left Sclessin with all three points.

This Sunday brings a real first test, again at home, against Genk. Still reeling from a disappointing playoff run, the Limburg side have yet to win. After a defeat at Club Brugge and a draw with Antwerp, Thorsten Fink is under pressure—and he’ll need to deliver against the Liège side.

*Odds may change. Event ends: August 10, 6:30 PM

Bet responsibly and unlock a BetXtra by placing live bets on Jupiler Pro League matches.