Charleroi vs Standard Liege Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

As they were unable to beat the eventual champions last time out, despite taking the lead, Liege’s late push for the title has ultimately proved to be in vain, though they can be proud of their efforts over the last few months. No one else took it upon themselves to challenge at the top, so Liege’s run of form must be applauded. In terms of the football played, Liege have been the best team in Belgium for some months, so much so that it would’ve been fitting had they snatched the title on the final day. It’s a case of que sera, sera.

They may have fallen short of the title, but Liege can still finish second and thus book themselves a place in the Champions League qualifiers, so there’s no time to dwell on last weekend’s draw. With Anderlecht just two points behind, Liege need to win this match. They are away from home but given how poorly Charleroi have defended in recent times, the attack-minded visitors will fancy themselves to get the job done.

As has often been the case this season, or rather as has almost always been the case on the road, Charleroi’s defensive frailties cost them last time out. As usual, they tried to be proactive and did create chances going forward, but they were once again all too open as they conceded four goals away at Genk. Such defensive problems do not bode well ahead of a match against a St. Liege side who’ve been in menacing form of late.

Had this match come a few weeks back, Charleroi would’ve been able to draw confidence from their rather respectable home record, though recent results haven’t really gone their way at home. It appears that Charleroi’s defensive struggles, which have been present on the road all season long, have spilled over into their home matches. The hosts have conceded eight goals in their last four at home, conceding at least twice in three of those. Again, against the menacing forward-line of Liege, this does not bode well.

Liege only managed the one goal against Brugge last weekend, but they once again played well offensively, while they’ve made a habit of scoring lots of prior to that fixture. Having notched at least twice in five of their last six, scoring multiple goals against the likes of Anderlecht, Brugge and Gent during that time, Liege, who have two of the league’s most capable attacking midfielders in Edmilson Junior and Carcela, are fancied to cause an open-looking Charleroi side all sort of problems.

At the end of the day, the hosts need to win if they’re to get into Europe, so they must go for it. In getting forward, Felice Mazzu’s side may make some headway, but they’ll only be presenting the strong attack of Liege with space to break into. The visitors haven’t needed asking twice in recent times and they’re simply going to have too much in the locker for Charleroi’s weak rear-guard to deal with.