Anderlecht may have to wait to clinch title

Belgian First Division
7.30pm Thursday

Not one of Anderlecht’s last nine matches has produced more than two goals and it’s quite likely there won’t be a goal feast when they travel to Sporting Charleroi.

A win for Anderlecht will see them crowned champions, although a point will do if Club Brugge don’t win at Oostende.

Even if Anderlecht don’t clinch the Jupiler League title in this fixture they get another chance on Sunday when they welcome Oostende to the capital.

They are certainly limping towards glory as a long season takes its toll. This will be their 57th match of a campaign which saw them reach the last eight of the Europa League, where they were pipped by Manchester United.

They’ve won only one of their last four, a run which included a 1-0 home defeat by these opponents. They also lost in the Belgian Cup to Sporting, on penalties.

So the Zebras are as close to a bogey team as Anderlecht have and they are probably worth a punt at a generous price. Senegal winger Amara Baby is out, but they looked decent when drawing 1-1 at Gent on Sunday, despite playing for over an hour with ten men.

They also boast one of the league’s best keepers in Nicolas Penneteau, which brings us back to the under 2.5 goals bet.

Eleven of Sporting’s last 12 matches have produced under three goals. Anderlecht’s eight championship playoff matches have yielded a grand total of just 11 goals.

Recommendations
Under 2.5 goals
2pts 10-11 Paddy Power
Charleroi
1pt 7-2 bet365

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com