The Jupiler Pro League gears up for its 28th matchday this Saturday, March 1, 2025, with eager anticipation among fans and players alike. Following the recent confusion surrounding the league's new format for the upcoming 2026/2027 season, the focus shifts back to the football action on the pitch, with several intriguing matchups set to take place.
One of the key fixtures on the day will see Club Brugge travel to Gent. Unfortunately for the Belgian champions, they will be without midfielder Raphael Onyedika, who has been ruled out due to injury. According to reports from Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, Onyedika suffered his injury during last weekend's 2-1 defeat against Standard Liege and will not feature on matchday. This raises concerns about his fitness for the upcoming Champions League clash against Aston Villa.
Onyedika has been instrumental for Club Brugge this season, participating in 38 matches, including 32 starts. His absence could significantly affect their midfield dynamics. Nigeria's national team manager Eric Chelle is closely monitoring Onyedika’s recovery as he prepares for World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. "Raphael Onyedika will not be named in Club Brugge's matchday squad on Saturday afternoon when they take on Gent..." remarked ANS.
Meanwhile, at the Jan Breydel Stadion, Cercle Brugge will host Royal Antwerp. The home team is coming off a 1-1 draw against Kortrijk, where they equalized late thanks to Paris Brunner after initially going behind to Jean-Kevin Duverne’s goal. Despite their struggles, Cercle has shown resilience; their recent form indicates they've lost just one of their last 13 outings across all competitions, which is promising.
On the other side, Antwerp is aiming to bounce back from their recent 2-2 draw with Leuven, where they allowed two second-half goals after taking the lead. They are currently placed fifth with 44 points and will be eager to improve their standings. The historical head-to-head record shows Antwerp has won 49 out of their last 93 encounters against Cercle Brugge, with the most recent match ending in favor of Antwerp with a solid 3-0 victory back in October.
Fans are buzzing with anticipation about how the match will play out. Statistics show Cercle's last five league games have featured goals from both sides, and with both teams displaying offensive talent, this trend may continue. Many expect the game to conclude with both teams finding the net. The betting lines reflect this sentiment, with tips favoring "both teams to score" and predicting over 1.5 goals.
Despite their tough run, Antwerp boasts the advantage of having won their last four head-to-head matches at the stadium against Cercle, giving them the psychological edge as they take to the pitch. Yet, with Cercle's newfound determination, this match promises to be hard-fought.
Looking for the best advice for placing bets on these clashes? Consider both teams' current forms and prior match statistics. With the potential for several goals and fierce competition throughout the league, this matchday of the Jupiler Pro League promises to deliver excitement for football fans across Belgium.
With the stakes rising as the season progresses, every match on this 28th matchday is pivotal not just for immediate points but for shaping the league’s narrative as teams gear up for the business end of the season. The clubs will aim for victories to bolster their positions and keep their respective title hopes alive or avoid relegation threats.
Fans will surely tune in this Saturday to see how their teams perform under pressure. What will the outcomes be for Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge? One thing is for certain: Matchday 28 will be pivotal and filled with drama, skill, and hopefully, plenty of goals!