Union SG play host to Gent on Sunday knowing that victory will secure the Belgian Pro League title.
Meanwhile, the visitors make the trip to the Joseph Marien Stadium with sixth place in the standings having already been finalised.
Match preview
© Imago
Since returning to the Belgian top flight in 2021, Union SG have encountered some near misses when it comes to getting their hands back on the biggest prize on the domestic scene.
However, after three consecutive top-three finishes, Les Unionistes are on the brink of getting over the line after an outstanding period of form since the start of the Champions playoff.
Eight wins and one draw have left Sebastien Pocognoli's side in a position where beating Gent will secure their first Pro League title since 1935.
With five clean sheets having been recorded in succession and a 4-0 win at Antwerp last time out, everything is pointing to Union SG earning silverware on Sunday.
In their three previous fixtures against Gent this campaign, they have earned seven points, a goalless draw in October being followed by 3-1 and 3-0 wins on away territory.
As for Gent, their form has been in sharp contrast to the leaders and they will deservedly only finish in sixth place in the standings.
A total of eight defeats have come in nine matches during the Champions playoff, their solitary success coming at Antwerp by a 1-0 scoreline on April 13.
Since then, a six-match losing run has been put together, with at least three goals being conceded in five of those contests.
Just two goals have been scored during that period, Gent taking the lead on both occasions before succumbing to 4-1 defeats, and that emphasises the fragility of Danijel Milicevic's team ahead of this fixture.
Team News
© Imago
Barring any injury issues, Pocognoli will likely select the same Union SG XI for this contest having been able to rest players during the closing half-hour at Antwerp.
Although Promise David came off the substitutes' bench to score, it was only after Mohammed Fuseini and Franjo Ivanovic had netted the first three goals.
Alessio Castro-Montes has been a reliable squad option in several positions this season and is a plausible alternative if Pocognoli wants to make a change.
Meanwhile, Mathias Delorge is an option to return to the Gent midfield as a replacement for Aime Omgba if Milicevic goes with a more defensive-minded setup, Omri Gandelman an alternative if he goes attacking.
The rest of the team may stay the same given the stakes being high in the title race, Dante Vanzier remaining in attack having ended a lengthy scoring drought last time out.
Union SG possible starting lineup:
Moris; Mac Allister, Machida, Leysen; Khalaili, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Niang; Ait El Hadj; Fuseini, Ivanovic
Gent possible starting lineup:
Vandenberghe; Samoise, Soumah, Kotto; De Vlieger, Kums, Lopes, Araujo; Ito, Delorge; Vanzeir
We say: Union SG 3-1 Gent
Although the stakes are high ahead of this contest, it is clear that Union SG have been provided with the perfect last-day fixture. With that in mind, we are backing the leaders to be confirmed as league champions at the full-time whistle, albeit with Gent having remained competitive.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
