Royal Antwerp vs Zulte Waregem Prediction & Match Preview – 27 December

Royal Antwerp vs Zulte Waregem Prediction & Match Preview for 27 December. In the Belgian First Division A, Royal Antwerp host Zulte Waregem at Bosuil Stadion on Saturday, 27 December. This fixture is crucial for both sides as they aim to climb the league standings and secure a stronger position as the season progresses.

Royal Antwerp, playing at home, will look to capitalise on their familiarity with Bosuil Stadion to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, Zulte Waregem will be eager to challenge their hosts and potentially upset the home crowd. This encounter promises to be a competitive clash, with both teams striving for valuable points in the league.

Royal Antwerp vs Zulte Waregem – Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Royal Antwerp to Win	2.02

Given the current form and historical context, I recommend backing Royal Antwerp for a home win. The team has shown consistent home performances, and Zulte Waregem’s recent struggles make this a solid pick.

• Royal Antwerp boast a strong home record, with victories over top teams such as Club Brugge and Genk.
• Zulte Waregem have won only once in their last five matches and are facing selection issues.
• Antwerp’s historical dominance—nine wins in the last fourteen meetings—adds confidence to this bet.

Betting Odds

Royal Antwerp are tipped as favourites in this clash, with their odds reflecting a strong home advantage at Bosuil Stadion. Zulte Waregem, however, are no pushovers, and their odds suggest a potential upset could be on the cards.

Betting Tip	Odds
Royal Antwerp to win	2.02
Draw	3.48
Zulte Waregem to win	3.42

The draw is also a tempting option for punters given the competitive nature of the Belgian First Division A. With both teams having a knack for finding the net, betting on both teams to score could be a savvy move.

Royal Antwerp – Analysis & Recent Performance

Royal Antwerp have been on an impressive run, remaining unbeaten in their last five games, with four wins and a draw. Their recent form has been highlighted by decisive victories, such as a 3-0 win over Genk and a 2-0 away triumph against Gent.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Royal Antwerp	Anderlecht	2 – 2 (Draw)	Jupiler Pro League	21 Dec 2025
Gent	Royal Antwerp	0 – 2 (Win)	Jupiler Pro League	14 Dec 2025
Royal Antwerp	Genk	3 – 0 (Win)	Jupiler Pro League	7 Dec 2025
Royal Antwerp	St.Truiden	N/A	Cup	3 Dec 2025
Club Brugge	Royal Antwerp	0 – 1 (Win)	Jupiler Pro League	30 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
Antwerp’s attacking prowess has been evident, averaging 3.00 goals per game in their last five matches, while conceding an average of 1.60 goals. Defensively, they’ve secured three clean sheets in this period, indicating a stable backline. Their ability to score frequently, coupled with a strong defensive record, makes them formidable at home, achieving a win ratio of 0.60 at Bosuil Stadion.

Currently standing 8th in the league, Royal Antwerp have accumulated 24 points, reflecting their competitive edge this season. With top scorer Vincent Janssen netting five goals, they have a reliable goal threat. Their tactical approach, balancing solid defence with aggressive attack, has yielded a clean sheet ratio of 0.60 in recent matches, underscoring their resilience and adaptability.

• DWWWW

Royal Antwerp – Suspensions & Injuries

Royal Antwerp face some challenges with key players unavailable due to injuries. Björn Engels and Mukhammadali Urinboev are both doubtful for the upcoming match against Zulte Waregem, with Engels suffering from a hamstring injury. Their absence could significantly affect the team’s defensive solidity and attacking options, potentially forcing coach Joseph Oosting to adjust his strategies.

Geoffry Hairemans is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, with an expected return in early April 2026. His prolonged absence continues to be a blow to the midfield’s creativity and depth, necessitating reliance on players like Xander Dierckx and Christopher Scott to fill the void.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Björn Engels	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful
Geoffry Hairemans	Cruciate ligament injury	Early April 2026
Mukhammadali Urinboev	Knock injury	Doubtful

The absence of these players may compel Antwerp to adopt a more conservative approach, with potential shifts in formation to compensate for the missing defensive and midfield presence. This could impact their overall strength against a team like Zulte Waregem, influencing match outcomes and betting markets as Antwerp may be seen as less formidable without these key players.

Royal Antwerp – Key Players

Vincent Janssen stands out as Royal Antwerp’s top scorer with five goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net is critical for Antwerp’s attacking success. Janssen’s physicality and sharp finishing make him a constant threat in the opposition’s penalty area, and he will be pivotal in breaking down Zulte Waregem’s defence.

In addition to Janssen, the midfield dynamism of Xander Dierckx and Mauricio Benítez provides Royal Antwerp with both creativity and stability. Dierckx’s vision and passing ability allow him to orchestrate play effectively, while Benítez adds defensive solidity and ball-winning capabilities. Their interplay could be crucial in controlling the midfield battle and supplying the forwards with opportunities.

Expected lineup for Royal Antwerp

• Goalkeeper: Taishi Brandon Nozawa
• Defence: Zeno Van Den Bosch, Kiki Kouyaté, Rosen Bozhinov
• Midfield: Thibo Somers, Xander Dierckx, Mauricio Benítez, Christopher Scott
• Forward: Marwan Al-Sahafi, Gyrano Kerk, Vincent Janssen

Defensively, Kiki Kouyaté’s presence is important for Royal Antwerp’s backline. His aerial prowess and tackling skills are vital in thwarting Zulte Waregem’s attacking threats. Kouyaté’s leadership in defence will be key to maintaining a solid structure and ensuring the team’s tactical discipline. With these key players, Royal Antwerp aim to leverage their strengths and secure a positive result.

Royal Antwerp – Tactics & Formation

Royal Antwerp Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely 3-4-3
• Key Forward: Vincent Janssen
• Midfield Engine: Mauricio Benítez and Christopher Scott
• Defensive Setup: Three-man defence with Van Den Bosch, Kouyaté, and Bozhinov
• Notable Strategy: High press and quick transitions.

Royal Antwerp’s recent performances suggest a preference for a 3-4-3 formation, which allows them to maintain a compact defensive structure while enabling quick transitions. The defensive trio of Zeno Van Den Bosch, Kiki Kouyaté, and Rosen Bozhinov offers a solid base, crucial for their high pressing game.

In midfield, Mauricio Benítez and Christopher Scott orchestrate play, providing the necessary balance between defence and attack. Their ability to control the midfield will be vital, especially in maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of the game.

Offensively, Vincent Janssen remains the focal point, with support from wingers Marwan Al-Sahafi and Gyrano Kerk, who provide width and pace. Antwerp’s strategy of pressing high and using quick transitions has been effective, evident in their recent unbeaten streak and their ability to score consistently in recent matches.

Zulte Waregem – Analysis & Recent Performance

In recent outings, Zulte Waregem have struggled to secure wins, with their last five matches yielding no victories, two defeats, and three draws. Their recent performance analysis highlights a lack of cutting edge in the final third, with an average of just 0.80 goals scored per game. Defensively, they have been vulnerable, conceding an average of 1.60 goals per match during this same period, managing only one clean sheet.

Home Side	Away Side	Outcome	League	Date
Union St.Gilloise	Zulte Waregem	2 – 0 (Defeat)	Jupiler League	20 Dec 2025
Zulte Waregem	RAAL La Louviere	2 – 2 (Draw)	Jupiler League	13 Dec 2025
OH Leuven	Zulte Waregem	1 – 1 (Draw)	Jupiler League	7 Dec 2025
Union St.Gilloise	Zulte Waregem	2 – 1 (Defeat)	Cup	3 Dec 2025
Zulte Waregem	Cercle Bruges	1 – 1 (Draw)	Jupiler League	29 Nov 2025

Recent Form:

• LDDLD

Zulte Waregem’s away form mirrors their overall struggles, with no wins from their last five away fixtures. They’ve managed to draw four of these encounters, showing resilience but lacking a killer instinct. Their defensive frailties are evident, with goals conceded in four of these matches. This pattern places them in a precarious 11th position in the league standings with 23 points, underscoring their mid-bottom ranking and a pressing need to convert draws into wins to climb the table.

Zulte Waregem – Suspensions & Injuries

Zulte Waregem face a couple of significant absences in their upcoming clash against Royal Antwerp. The suspension of Tochukwu Nnadi due to national team commitments leaves a gap in midfield, potentially disrupting the team’s usual rhythm. Nnadi’s absence is particularly impactful as he has been a key figure in controlling the tempo and linking play between defence and attack. This could force coach Sven Vandenbroeck to rely on alternative midfield options, which may not offer the same level of dynamism.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Tochukwu Nnadi	National team	1	Unknown

The injury list includes Lukas Willen, who is dealing with an ankle injury and is currently doubtful for the match. Willen’s potential absence could weaken Zulte Waregem’s defensive stability, as his versatility and defensive capabilities have been crucial in their recent matches. The team will need to consider adjustments, possibly bringing in a less experienced player to fill the gap, which may affect their defensive solidity.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Lukas Willen	Ankle injury	Doubtful

These absences might influence Zulte Waregem’s tactical approach, potentially leading to a more conservative strategy to compensate for the lack of depth. Bettors should note that these unavailabilities might affect the team’s performance, making Royal Antwerp the more favoured side given Zulte Waregem’s reduced squad strength.

Zulte Waregem – Key Players

Zulte Waregem’s attacking force will be spearheaded by their top scorer Jeppe Erenbjerg, who has found the net seven times this season. Erenbjerg’s keen sense of positioning and lethal finishing make him a constant threat to any defence. His partnership up front with Marley Aké is pivotal, as Aké’s agility and ability to create chances can complement Erenbjerg’s goal-scoring prowess.

In midfield, Enrique Lofolomo offers stability and creativity, orchestrating play and linking defence with attack effectively. His distribution and vision will be crucial against Royal Antwerp’s pressing game. At the back, Jakob Kiilerich’s defensive acumen and leadership are essential for maintaining a solid defensive line, particularly against a potent opposing attack. Laurent Lemoine alongside him adds strength and reliability to the back four.

Expected lineup for Zulte Waregem:

• Goalkeeper: Brent Gabriel
• Defenders: Wilguens Paugain, Jakob Kiilerich, Laurent Lemoine, Emran Soglo
• Midfielders: Serxho Ujka, Enrique Lofolomo, Thomas Claes
• Forwards: Marley Aké, Jeppe Erenbjerg, Anosike Ementa

Zulte Waregem – Tactics & Formation

Zulte Waregem Tactical Breakdown:

• Recent Formation: 3-4-3
• Key Forward: Jeppe Erenbjerg
• Midfield Dynamic: Wilguens Paugain and Serxho Ujka
• Defensive Challenges: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High possession with limited goal conversion.

Zulte Waregem have been deploying a 3-4-3 formation, aiming to control the midfield and provide width through their wing-backs. The midfield pairing of Wilguens Paugain and Serxho Ujka plays a pivotal role in transitioning the ball from defence to attack, though the team struggle to convert possession into goals.

Offensively, Jeppe Erenbjerg, their top scorer, leads the attack. He is supported by wingers Anosike Ementa and Marley Aké, who look to exploit spaces behind the opposition’s defence. However, the lack of clinical finishing has been a concern, as evidenced by their recent goalless draw against Union St.Gilloise.

Defensively, the back three of Enrique Lofolomo, Laurent Lemoine, and Jakob Kiilerich have faced challenges, having conceded in four of their last five matches. The absence of clean sheets highlights the need for improved defensive organisation and resilience, particularly against higher-ranked opponents like Royal Antwerp.

Royal Antwerp vs Zulte Waregem – Head-to-Head Record

Royal Antwerp have the upper hand in the head-to-head record against Zulte Waregem, with 11 wins to Zulte’s five, and no draws in their 16 encounters. The last meeting saw Zulte Waregem claim a 2-0 victory at home in the Belgian Pro League, showing they can still pose a threat.

When these teams last met in the First Division A, Antwerp secured a narrow 1-0 win at Bosuil Stadion back in March 2022. Antwerp’s home advantage has been significant, with them winning the last two home fixtures against Zulte by the same 1-0 scoreline.

Home Side	Away Side	Score	League	Date
Zulte Waregem	Royal Antwerp	2 – 0	Belgian Pro League	2025-09-27
Zulte Waregem	Royal Antwerp	0 – 2	Belgian Pro League	2023-03-31
Royal Antwerp	Zulte Waregem	1 – 0	Belgian Pro League	2022-07-31
Royal Antwerp	Zulte Waregem	1 – 0	First Division A	2022-03-19
Zulte Waregem	Royal Antwerp	2 – 1	First Division A	2021-10-16