The final matchday of the 2024 Belgian Pro League season brings exciting matchups as teams look to end the year on high notes. Club Brugge will host Westerlo at Jan Breydel Stadium, aiming to keep their unbeaten streak alive, following their previous match where they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Union after initially falling behind 2-0. Meanwhile, KAA Gent will face Union SG, who are currently enjoying an impressive 12-match unbeaten streak. Football fans are eager to see how these matches will shape the league standings before the holiday break.
Club Brugge, the reigning champions, enters this match after four consecutive wins but faced a setback with their recent draw against Union. The match highlighted their resilience as goals from Talbi and Nilsson, along with some key saves from Mignolet, allowed them to secure at least one point. With injuries to players like Maxim De Cuyper, Joaquin Seys, Raphael Onyedika, and the absence of Romeo Vermant from the lineup, Coach Scott Parker might position Sabbe on the right flank, with Romero possibly taking on the left side after impressing as a substitute. Nielsen is expected to start in midfield, with young talents Et-Taïbi and De Roeve included by Parker for the match. The question remains: can they continue their unbeaten form against Westerlo?
Westerlo, on the other hand, finds themselves struggling after having started the season strong. From their last four games, they managed only two points. After slipping from seventh to eleventh position, the pressure is mounting as they sit precariously above the relegation zone, just three points above thirteenth-placed Cercle Brugge. The last time Westerlo achieved victory at Jan Breydel was back in October 2022. That past success needs to inspire them as they hope to finish the year positively.
Meanwhile, KAA Gent's encounter against Union SG is also pivotal. Gent is aware of their need to break through after suffering from some inconsistency, especially following their unexpected loss to Larne FC, who had been winless before this match. Coach Wouter Vrancken expressed relief following the narrow victory against Standard Liège, underscoring the importance of this match for both morale and standings. He stated, "Ik denk dat qua werkethiek en de manier waarop de jongens het invullen, ik nooit te klagen heb. Maar als je een belangrijke match wint, en ook het goede gevoel hebt qua spel, dan geeft dat opluchting.” His team has not seen victory over Union SG in their last nine encounters, so the pressure will be on them to perform at home.
Union SG, under Coach Pocognoli, heads to Gent with high spirits. Remaining unbeaten for 12 matches, their form suggests they are real contenders, even if their recent draw against Club Brugge exposed some vulnerabilities. The team is riding momentum and hopes to improve their league position—victory this matchday could propel them to fifth place. Pocognoli is hopeful his squad can seize the moment, even with the absence of Loïc Lapoussin due to disciplinary reasons. Pocognoli indicated, "Union evolueert het scoringsprobleem van het begin van het seizoen naar een luxeprobleem,” indicating their newfound attacking depth.
Fans from both clubs will be watching intently as these matches play out, providing one last opportunity for excitement before the league takes its short winter break. While it’s the end of the year, the stakes are still incredibly high as teams strive to fortify their standing and fan engagement through spirited competition.
With feelings of optimism and urgency surrounding the clubs involved, matchday is set to be dramatic. Will Club Brugge maintain their impressive form, or can Westerlo pull off a surprise? Can KAA Gent shake off their recent woes and claim victory against seasoned rivals Union SG? December 26 promises to not only be about football but also about hopes and aspirations as teams look to make their mark going forward.
