Charleroi welcome Leuven to Stade du Pays de Charleroi for their final fixture in the Belgian Pro League European playoffs on Saturday evening.
The two teams locked horns on matchday one of the playoffs at the end of March and played out a goalless stalemate in Leuven.
Match preview
© Imago
Charleroi have moved one step closer to qualifying for next season's Conference League as they have finished top of the playoff standings for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.
After ending the regular season with three defeats in their final five fixtures, Charleroi were given just a 19% chance of finishing top of the six-team playoff table by Opta, but they have defied the odds after posting five wins, three draws and one defeat across nine matches, scoring 17 goals in the process.
Top spot was secured courtesy of a thrilling 4-3 home victory over Westerlo on matchday eight, coming from 3-1 down in the final half-hour to claim maximum points, and they have since played out a 1-1 draw with Mechelen on the road last weekend.
Rik De Mil's side are sure to have one eye on their playoff final clash with Royal Antwerp - who will finish fifth in the Champions' playoffs - but they must first focus on Saturday's clash with Leuven and will be keen to build positive momentum heading into that important showpiece.
Charleroi have won each of their last four home games and have scored a total of 12 goals, but their record against Leuven leaves little to be desired as they have failed to win any of their last 10 competitive meetings (D5 L5).
Leuven have in fact kept a clean sheet in each of their last four encounters with Charleroi and they won their most recent trip to Stade du Pays de Charleroi - a 2-0 success in October last year.
Managed by former Wales, Fulham and Sunderland boss Chris Coleman, Leuven have struggled to make an impact in the playoffs, winning just one of their nine matches, drawing five of those and losing each of their last three to Mechelen (2-1), Dender (5-0) and Westerlo (2-0).
Sitting fifth in the six-team standings, Leuven cannot realistically finish higher than fourth; they are placed just one point behind Dender in fourth and three behind third-placed Mechelen who boast a superior goal difference, while they remain in danger of finishing rock bottom as Standard Liege are only one point further back in sixth spot.
Team News
© IconSport
Charleroi trio Massamba Sow, Aiham Ousou and Grejohn Kyei all remain sidelined with injuries, but 15-goal attacking midfielder Daan Heymans is available to return after serving a one-match suspension.
De Mil may be tempted to rotate his side in a couple of positions, with the likes of Vetle Dragsnes, Alexis Flips and Isaac Mbenza all pushing for a recall after beginning as substitutes last time out.
Nikola Stulic is in contention to lead the line once again; he has scored a team-high 16 goals this season and was recently called up to the Serbia squad ahead of two World Cup qualifiers next month.
As for Leuven, defensive duo Takahiro Akimoto and Antef Tsoungui remain out as they are nursing injuries, while Birger Verstraete is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The absence of Verstraete opens the door for Mathieu Maertens, Youssef Maziz or Manuel Osifo to operate in midfield alongside RB Leipzig-bound Ezechiel Banzuzi and Siebe Schrijvers, who has scored a team-high eight goals this season.
Charleroi possible starting lineup:
Delavallee; Petris, Andreou, Keita, Dragsnes; Titraoui; Zorgane; Mbenza, Flips, Guiagon; Stulic
Leuven possible starting lineup:
Leysen; Vlietinck, Nyakossi, Pletinckx, Ricca; Banzuzi, Osifo, Schrijvers; Balikwisha, Ikwuemesi, Verlinden
We say: Charleroi 2-1 Leuven
Although Charleroi have struggled against Leuven in recent years and could rest some players this weekend, they will be keen to keep spirits high heading into their playoff final and we are backing De Mil's men to come out on top on home soil against their out-of-sorts counterparts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
