Jupiler Pro League: Matches to watch on the second matchday

Gone are the weekends that felt empty. Since last weekend, the Jupiler Pro League is back in action. The excitement of a new season is palpable, and the opening matchday has already revealed some strong trends.

Although runners-up to Union last season, Club Brugge have already switched into reconquest mode. The Blauw en Zwart won the season’s first big clash against Racing Genk despite trailing (1-2).

Already engaged in European competition through the qualifying rounds, Anderlecht delivered an attacking festival against Westerlo at Lotto Park (5-2), although the Mauves had a few nervous moments. Standard, for their part, won in La Louvière, on the pitch of the newly promoted side inaugurating its new stadium, the Easi Arena.

Will these three big clubs keep their momentum going? Here’s everything you need to know to bet smartly on Golden Vegas Sport, the most popular online betting site in Belgium.

Club Brugge in Mechelen Without Ordonez?

After a successful start at Jan Breydel against the Limburgers—despite some imperfections in their style of play—the vice-champions face their first away match of the season this weekend, on the pitch of KV Mechelen. A duel not to be underestimated for Nicky Hayen’s men, against a side that’s always tough to handle “Behind the Barracks.”

Unlike last year, Vanaken’s teammates want to take the lead in the league quickly. But the trip to Mechelen is a serious test, even if the Malinois could do no better than a draw on the promoted Zulte-Waregem’s pitch on Matchday 1 (1-1).

Will the Bruges coach be able to count on all his key players? Courted by AC Milan, Jashari is pushing for a transfer, as is Ordonez—targeted by Marseille—who skipped training on Thursday. Without his best midfielder and strongest defender, will the club from the Venice of the North still manage to take all three points in Mechelen?

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: August 1 at 20:45.

Waiting for Bertaccini, Anderlecht want to keep winning

For the Mauves, there’s no time to rest. Less than 72 hours after travelling to Gothenburg to face Häcken in the Conference League qualifying rounds, Hasi’s men head straight into another trip—this time to Cercle Brugge.

It’s their fourth match in two weeks. The start of the season has been intense in Neerpede. But good news is piling up. Besnik Hasi can count on a valuable reinforcement: Adriano Bertaccini. The second top scorer of last season arrives from Sint-Truiden for a €6 million transfer fee.

“I’m very happy. We’ve been looking for a profile like his for quite a while. He’s an Anderlecht striker. He always scores, even against top teams,” says the Anderlecht coach. “He has pace, looks for depth, and brings a profile we didn’t have. He also gives me more tactical options. And he loves coming to Anderlecht.”

The new signing won’t be available for Sunday’s match as he signed his contract on Friday. No matter—together with Dolberg and Vazquez, the Brussels side has the means to beat Cercle Brugge, who snatched a draw at Dender. But will there be a first upset in this Jupiler Pro League?

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: August 3 at 16:00.

Another Rednic effect at Standard?

Everyone’s smiling in Sclessin since the arrivals of Marc Wilmots and Mircea Rednic. The Liège side has started winning again. The new signings, like Henry and Ilaimaharitra, have already found the back of the net, and the Rouches are no longer conceding goals!

Will this honeymoon continue for Standard? On paper, all the ingredients are there. The Principality club hosts Dender, a team more than manageable for them on paper.

“One goal, one win, and a clean sheet—it’s the perfect start,” confirmed Henry. “In my view, and with all due respect to the opponents we faced in pre-season, we’ve never really been pushed to our limits. It honestly feels great.”

Will they manage to win at home for the first time since January 26, 2025? As a fun fact, that victory was also against Dender. Let’s see if fate smiles on them again as they aim for first place.

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: August 2 at 18:15.

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