Westerlo vs. Standard Liege Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 24 May 2025 - bettingexpert
The final round of the First Division A playoffs brings us an intriguing clash between Westerlo and Standard Liege at Het Kuipje. Westerlo, currently in second place with 32 points, will be keen to cement their position with a solid performance. In contrast, Standard Liege is languishing in sixth place with 26 points and will be looking to finish their season on a high note.
Westerlo has been in formidable form, winning three of their last five matches (WLWDW) and maintaining an impressive average of 2.80 goals per game in recent fixtures. Their top scorer, Matija Frigan, has been pivotal, and with the home crowd behind them, they’ll be confident going into this match.
On the other hand, Standard Liege has struggled with form, managing just two draws and three losses in their last five outings (DDLDL). Coach Ivan Leko will need to motivate his squad, especially with key players like Hountondji and Eckert needing to step up.
With Standard Liege averaging just 0.20 goals per game in their last five and Westerlo showing strong home performance, our recommended bet is for a Westerlo win. Do not expect many goals, though, given both teams’ recent defensive displays.
Don’t miss this clash which wraps up a spirited playoff season!
Westerlo vs Standard Liege Prediction & Betting tip
Recommended bet: Westerlo to win
Westerlo has put on a strong performance in the home stretch of the season, particularly at Het Kuipje, making them the favourites in this match. With Standard Liege struggling for goals and a solid home form for Westerlo, a home win seems likely.
| Westerlo vs Standard Liege Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Westerlo to win | 1.67 |
- Westerlo’s strong home record: They’ve scored in every home game this season, showing consistent performance at Het Kuipje.
- Standard Liege’s attacking struggles: Scoring just 0.20 goals per game in their last five matches highlights their struggles in front of goal.
- Recent form: Westerlo’s good run of form (WLWDW) compared to Standard Liege’s poor performance (DDLDL) suggests a likely home victory.
Westerlo vs Standard Liege Odds
| Westerlo vs Standard Liege Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Westerlo | 1.67 |
| Draw | 4.04 |
| Standard Liege | 4.41 |
The odds are heavily tilted in favour of Westerlo, reflecting their strong performances, especially at Het Kuipje. Bookmakers clearly back the home side’s ability to continue their solid run of form.
With Westerlo’s consistent goal-scoring and Standard Liege’s recent struggles, particularly in finding the back of the net, betting on Westerlo seems the prudent choice.
Expect a defensively minded Standard Liege, potentially yielding fewer goals overall.
Westerlo Team Analysis
Westerlo Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OH Leuven | Westerlo | 2025-05-16 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 0-2 (Win) |
| Sporting Charleroi | Westerlo | 2025-05-09 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 4-3 (Loss) |
| Westerlo | FCV Dender EH | 2025-05-02 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 4-2 (Win) |
| Westerlo | KV Mechelen | 2025-04-26 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 2-2 (Draw) |
| KV Mechelen | Westerlo | 2025-04-22 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 2-3 (Win) |
Westerlo has shown a solid run of form with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five matches. Their recent performances boast an impressive goal-scoring average of 2.80 goals per game. Defensively, they’ve managed just one clean sheet but have been resilient overall.
Their most recent victory, a 2-0 win against OH Leuven, was a testament to their offensive strength and ability to control the game from the back.
Given their track record at home, where they’ve scored in 100% of matches this season, they are likely to continue their strong form against Standard Liège.
Westerlo Key Players
Westerlo’s key players have been instrumental in their successful campaign, with Matija Frigan leading the charge as the top scorer, netting four goals this season. Expect him to be a vital presence upfront, particularly in individual battles against Standard Liege’s defence. With a dynamic midfield including Alfie Devine and Thomas Van Den Keybus, Westerlo can be expected to dominate the central areas of the pitch.
The expected lineup for Westerlo:
- Goalkeeper: Andreas Jungdal
- Defenders: Bryan Reynolds, Emin Bayram, Amando Lapage, Tuur Rommens
- Midfielders: Arthur Piedfort, Thomas Van Den Keybus, Griffin Yow, Alfie Devine, Isa Sakamoto
- Attacker: Matija Frigan
Keep an eye on the creative play of Alfie Devine and the sturdy defensive partnerships that have been the backbone of their recent form.
Westerlo Suspensions & Injuries
Westerlo will face some challenges in their squad assembly due to injuries. The absence of key players could impact their performance, potentially affecting their defensive and midfield setups.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Bos | Hamstring Injury | Doubtful |
| Bakary Haidara | Unknown | Doubtful |
The potential absence of Jordan Bos, who has been a solid presence at the back, alongside Bakary Haidara, might force Coach Timmy Simons to make some tactical adjustments. Keeping a close eye on fitness levels up until matchday will be crucial for Westerlo as they aim to secure a vital win at Het Kuipje.
Westerlo Tactics and Formation
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Matija Frigan
Westerlo Tactical Breakdown:
- Defensive Line-up: The back four consists of Bryan Reynolds on the right, Emin Bayram and Amando Lapage as the central duo, Tuur Rommens on the left.
- Double Pivot: Arthur Piedfort and Thomas Van Den Keybus are expected to sit deep, providing cover for the backline and initiating transitions.
- Attacking Trio: Griffin Yow and Isa Sakamoto on the wings, with Alfie Devine orchestrating the attack in the playmaker role.
- Key Strategy: With an average of 2.80 goals scored in their last 5 games, Westerlo relies on high tempo, pressing football.
- Defensive Note: They must be cautious late in the game, having conceded most goals between the 76th and 90th minute this season.
Standard Liege Team Analysis
Standard Liege Recent Performance
Standard Liege’s recent form has been a mixed bag, reflected in their position at the bottom of the standings. Over their last five matches, they’ve managed two draws but have suffered three losses, showing a challenging period for Ivan Leko’s side.
The team hasn’t found the back of the net much lately, with an average of just 0.20 goals scored in their last five outings. However, their defense has improved slightly, keeping two clean sheets in this period. The lack of goals has been a significant hindrance in their quest for better results.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Liege | FCV Dender EH | 2025-05-17 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 0-0 (Draw) |
| KV Mechelen | Standard Liege | 2025-05-10 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Standard Liege | Sporting Charleroi | 2025-05-04 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 0-1 (Loss) |
| OH Leuven | Standard Liege | 2025-04-26 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Standard Liege | OH Leuven | 2025-04-22 | Playoff ECL grp. A | 0-1 (Loss) |
With just one goal scored in their last five games, Standard Liege needs to sharpen their attack to pose any real threat to Westerlo. Their low scoring rate contrasts starkly with the stinginess of their defense. The team will aim to balance both ends to get a favorable outcome on the road.
Standard Liege Key Players
Key players for Standard Liege in this matchup include their top scorer, Andreas Hountondji, who has netted 3 goals this season. Despite their recent struggles offensively, Hountondji’s form could be pivotal. Dennis Eckert Ayensa, partnering Hountondji upfront, will also be crucial in breaking through Westerlo’s defense. Their main midfield dynamo, Jean Thierry Lazare Amani, alongside Marko Bulat, will aim to control the tempo and provide the vital link between defense and attack.
Expected lineup for Standard Liege:
- Goalkeeper: Matthieu Epolo
- Defenders: Daan Dierckx, Ibe Hautekiet, Nathan Ngoy
- Midfielders: Marlon Fossey, Marko Bulat, Ibrahim Karamoko, Jean Thierry Lazare Amani, Alexandro Calut
- Attackers: Andreas Hountondji, Dennis Eckert Ayensa
Key individual battles on the pitch to watch include Hountondji against Westerlo’s center-backs, Emin Bayram, and Amando Lapage, which could define the game’s outcome.
Standard Liege Suspensions & Injuries
Injuries might prove crucial for Standard Liege in this match as they have a notable number of key players sidelined:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Lucas Noubi Ngnokam | Unknown | Doubtful |
| David Bates | Knee injury | Doubtful |
| Andi Zeqiri | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Gavin Bazunu | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Bosko Sutalo | Knock injury | Doubtful |
These injuries can significantly impact their formation, defensive stability, and overall gameplay. The absence of defenders like David Bates and Bosko Sutalo could leave their backline vulnerable against an in-form Westerlo side. Consequently, Ivan Leko might have to rely heavily on his bench for this tough matchup.
Standard Liege Tactics and Formation
Standard Liege Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Key Forwards: Andreas Hountondji and Dennis Eckert Ayensa
- Midfield Trio: Marlon Fossey, Marko Bulat, Ibrahim Karamoko, Jean Thierry Lazare Amani, and Alexandro Calut
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Standard Liege tends to score most of their goals in the 31-45-minute interval
Standard Liege’s 3-5-2 formation means they’ll be focused on controlling the midfield and looking for quick counter-attacks.
With solid central defense, their wing-backs Fossey and Calut will aim to provide width and crossing options.
However, their line-up might be reshaped due to significant injuries, which could impact both their defensive and attacking strategies.
Westerlo vs Standard Liege Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Liege | Westerlo | 2025-04-19 | First Division A Playoff Conference League Group | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Westerlo | Standard Liege | 2025-02-09 | First Division A | 4-2 (Win) |
| Standard Liege | Westerlo | 2024-09-28 | First Division A | 1-2 (Win) |
| Standard Liege | Westerlo | 2024-05-10 | First Division A Playoff ECL Group | 0-5 (Win) |
| Westerlo | Standard Liege | 2024-04-20 | First Division A Playoff ECL Group | 3-3 (Draw) |
In their last 5 encounters, Westerlo has held the upper hand with three wins and two draws. They have consistently managed to find the back of the net with impressive scores, giving them an optimistic edge for their upcoming clash. Standard Liege will be looking to break this pattern and secure a win.
Odds accurate as of 22/05/2025 19:01, and are subject to change.
Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
