Anderlecht v KV Oostende
Sunday 28th July 1330hrs
Football – Belgium – First Division A
Pick Anderlecht to win and over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 20/21 (odds taken 18.00 GMT, Saturday 27 July)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/25 | 41/10 | 8/1 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on July 27, 2019 at 18.00)
Anderlecht kick off a new era on Sunday as Vincent Kompany takes charge of his first game since returning. Oostende are the opponents and hoping to spoil Kompany’s homecoming.
Belgium First Division A Betting at Boylesports
Anderlecht Preview – Will it be the perfect start for the returning Vincent Kompany?
The return of Vincent Kompany to Anderlecht as a player-manager has been the biggest story in Belgium football this past summer. Having had such a successful and prestigious career as a player since leaving the club in 2006, Kompany is hoping to have an equally productive time of it in management. How he manages to balance his coaching responsibilities and still remain as a player remains to be seen. We’ll get an indication of that on Sunday as he takes charge of his first competitive game.
The new man in charge has been backed by the club to strengthen the squad over the summer as you expect. Michel Vlap has been the most expensive purchase, joining from Heerenveen. Whilst Samir Nasri has joined his former teammate. They are two of a half a dozen purchases to join and they are all tasked with ensuring a much more successful season for the club.
Anderlecht finished sixth in the league last year, 20 points behind champions Genk. That’s no acceptable for this club and Kompany’s return is a sign of intent from the owner. Sunday represents a good opportunity for his new-look team to send out a message to the others, coming up against one of the lesser teams in the league and playing at home. It’s bound to be an excitable crowd there to welcome Kompany on his return.
KV Oostende Preview – Can Oostende spoil the party and get a surprise result on the opening weekend?
Oostende are one of the more provincial clubs in Belgium whose first objective every season is survival. Like their first opponents of the new season, Oostende also have a new manager in charge. The Norwegian Kare Ingebrigsten is the club’s fourth manager in as many years, and it’s a return to management following his sacking from Rosenborg just over a year ago. Ingebrigsten is tasked with trying to improve on Oostende’s performance last year which seen them finish in 14th in the regular season. They were somewhat competitive when the league split and they participated in the Europa League playoffs. Attempting to find the consistency during the initial phase of the season which sees them better placed come the split is going to be the main improvement that the new manager seeks out.
Oostende’s resources and financial power are nothing like that of their opponents on Sunday so it’s been a much more modest transfer window for them. One player Kompany will be very aware of is the Croatian youngster Ante Palaversa who joins on loan from Manchester City. He will be out to impress should he be given his Oostende debut.
Key-Facts – Anderlecht v KV Oostende
- Following a decidedly disappointing season last term, Vincent Kompany has been brought in as player-manager – returning to the club 13 years after leaving
- Kare Ingebrigsten also takes charge of his first game having been appointed Oostende’s new manager earlier this summer
- Anderlecht won both meetings between the teams last season whilst Oostende have not won at this venue since 2005
Anderlecht v KV Oostende Betting Advice
Despite Anderlecht’s difficulties last season they were able to win both fixtures against Oostende. There have been recent struggles for them against this opponent but they have come away from home. The last time Oostende won away to Anderlecht was in 2005, so it could barely have been a better fixture for Kompany to take charge for the first time.
Everything looks to be in place for a home win in this one and that should be the outcome. Kompany has been a winner throughout his career and he will be demanding high standards and setting them from the beginning. That means winning and winning with authority. The new manager has attempted to add creativity and goals to his squad and this is the perfect opportunity to blood those players. I expect a comfortable home win and a game that will see some goals, too. Anderlecht to win and for there to be at least three goals in the game.
