Belgian Jupiler League Week 4 Roundup
Standard vs Zulte-Waregem 0-4
Standard
This match clearly showed the problem of Standard at the moment. They have to count on their grinta and fighting power and once that is gone there is not much left. Coach Sa Pinto does seem to add anything to the team aside from the much talked about grinta. The collapse was big in this match once they got behind and I will be looking for similar spots to exploit in the Live betting market.
Zulte-Waregem
This team showed their potential again absolutely crushing the +0.75 underdog line and I see them as underrated on the betting market right now. Once the Europa League starts they are very likely to lose points in the domestic league. They looked quite solid on defense and kept going forward after taking the lead so the overish trend continues. They are also an interesting team on the corners market.
Genk vs Charleroi 0-1
Genk
Genk right now a very unreliable team. At times playing very impressive similar to the end of last season and other times they don't show anything at all. They seemed very afraid of the counter in this match which paralyzed them offensively. It is very hard for the bookmakers to set the lines on this team the -1 line against Mechelen is a Steal when they play on level but it's a sucker bet when they do not reach their level. Perfect spot to exploit with Live betting as it is not difficult to see which Genk team shows up.Charleroi
The visitors continued their pattern and teams seems to start being afraid of them resulting is dull matches. It will be hard for them to keep this up over the course of an entire season. I'm keeping an eye out for them to have something of a downswing where instead of them closely winning everything start to reverse the pattern.
Eupen vs Oostende 2-1
Eupen
The home team clearly were enforced by getting Leye as a striker and might be less of an under team than I anticipated based on the statements of their coach early on in the season. Things probably won't get as crazy as last season on the goal count though. Late money came in on Eupen on the market which is something I will monitor to see if it's a pattern. The win was not undeserved in the end even though the visitors were the better team in the 2nd half.Kv Oostende
Oostende are left with 0 points after 4 weeks in the league and this is a major surprise. They are a team with quite some budget and quality both in the team and on the bench but things have not clicked yet this season. Scoring power is a big concern right now and I doubt that Gano will be anywhere close to Di Mata. The -0.75 line at home against Antwerp is never an option to take for me pre-game. Should be a matter of time before they start winning but same principle as on the stock market is in place. "Never catch a falling knife". No harm in waiting things out with this team.
Waasland vs Lokeren 2-3
Waasland
This match was a good example of how anything can happen in this game. The revelation of the season Waasland against poor Lokeren and 0-3 HT score. Waasland did not play a bad match and nearly managed to still take a point after pushing Lokeren back in the 2nd half. It still remains to be seen what the impact of Ghano leaving the team will be. For now they are still in my underrated teams list at the moment. They played 4 matches being the better team in all of them but only took 5 on 12.Lokeren
A bithday from 82 year old president and Overmeire being back in the team seemed to have a very positive impact on lokeren. The captain seems to be very important for this team and I will look for matches where he's not able to play to oppose them. Lokeren no longer the team they were a couple years ago and they can be very happy now if they are in the spots above relegation without too many concern about dropping. They did get pushed back in the 2nd half so the troubles are far from over for this team in my opinion.
Mechelen vs Antwerp 1-2
Mechelen
The match started with an up and down pace and Mechelen are able to create more chances compared to last season but finishing them seems a problem. Coach Ferreira told he was going to think about the fact that last year they were more defensive and took more points. Missed start with 3 on 12 from KV Mechelen might have them tighten up their defense next couple matches.
Antwerp
The promoted team took a hot start in the league. Striker Oulare got injured in this match which might give them scoring problems next couple matches. Their hot start is mainly based on details that went their way and the excellent mentality. I expect goals to come late in their matches because they never give up and are in excellent physical condition. This is also a team that can be blown away against a better team once they get behind and have to come forward as seen in the match against Genk. Overs will be a betting option if they get behind.
Anderlecht vs Sint-truiden 2-3
Anderlecht
Anderlecht have the best team in the league based on individual quality but the engine still is not running. They have something of a striker problem as Theo keeps on struggling and thelin does not seem good enough. The worst start in many years and a difficult match ahead against AA Gent. Important player Dendoncker also wants to leave the team and is playing far below his normal level because of this. Once transfer window is closed and Anderlecht work towards their CL matches the play should improve.Sint-Truiden
Stvv started this match with a new coach and he played a quite open match which should be kept in mind next time they visit a top team. Despite their strikers Vetokele and Ceballos being out they still managed to score 3 times thanks to ex-anderlecht player Legaer. They will have much more difficult matches when they are expected to make the play.
Kortrijk vs Club Brugge 1-2
Kortrijk
The home team again played a good match but lost because they failed to finish their chances and took a sloppy start of the 2nd half. Kortrijk are still a team on my watchlist to possibly overperform the asian handicaps.Club Brugge
Overall a good match for Club Brugge knowing they played with an experimental b-team after 7 substitutions because the mid-week EL qualif match. They failed to reach EL groups after a poor match against AEK and now will have full focus on the league and the cup. I'm not sold on this Club Brugge team despite the 12 on 12 after 4 matches. This showed during the match against AEK. Near the end in the match against Kortrijk they also showed signs of tiredness.
Moeskroen vs AA Gent 2-3
Moeskroen
Moeskroen managed to take the win thanks to a red card and an AA Gent team who stopped playing and crawled back in the 2nd half. I'm still not sold on this Moeskroen team.AA Gent
AA Gent are in crisis, they played a good half which could have resulted in a bigger lead but totally fell back after getting a red card going from 0-2 to 3-2. With some difficult matches ahead (Anderlecht / Genk / Oostende) there is a potential risk their playoff 1 spot this early in the season.
Previous League Roundups
Belgian Jupiler League Week 3 Roundup
Belgian Jupiler League Week 2 Roundup
Belgian Jupiler League Week 1 Roundup