Cercle Brugge aim to climb the Jupiler Pro League table on Saturday in an away fixture against RAAL La Louvière. The green-blacks currently sit 17th in the standings with six points from ten matches, a record of one win, three draws and six defeats. Having scored thirteen and conceded twenty-two, they have a goal difference of minus nine.
That places them one point and one position behind this weekend's 16th-placed opponents. A victory could see Cercle leapfrog RAAL La Louvière in the standings. The team currently trails leaders Club Brugge KV by twenty-one points.
Lineup and form
Cercle Brugge are coming off an important 2-1 win against Antwerp on Sunday 1 November, where Tunde Akinsola scored twice, both times assisted by Steve Ngoura. Recent form has been inconsistent, however, with three defeats in their last five league games, amounting to two wins and three losses. That run includes the 5-2 defeat to Union St. Gilloise on 25 October, where Ngoura converted a penalty and an opposition own goal added to the score, and the 2-1 victory at Sporting Hasselt on 16 October. The team has scored thirteen goals but conceded twenty-two this season.
The defence featured Ibrahim Diakité, Geoffrey Kondo, Royer Caicedo and Tayo Adaramola. Luke Le Roux and Hannes Van Der Bruggen anchored the midfield, with Tunde Akinsola, Abdoulie Manneh and Erick Nunes operating behind striker Steve Ngoura.
RAAL La Louvière lost their last league match 4-1 to Club Brugge KV. They fielded a 5-3-2 formation that included M. Peano in goal and N. Gillot and P. Nkoa in defence.
Historical edge
That history provides confidence for the upcoming fixture on Saturday 7 November.
With the next match already scheduled for 7 November, it is key for Cercle to build momentum. The trip to Louvière presents a direct opportunity to move out of the lower reaches of the division.
