On Sunday 8 February, Standard will visit Jan Breydel. You can read everything about the match in the Club Facts.
The match
The fortieth match of the season for Club Brugge is the fixture at Jan Breydel against Standard de Liège. This also marks the first of a series of four consecutive home games. It will be the 194th duel between the two clubs in the Belgian top division, a record number for Club, who have faced no other opponent more often than the Rouches.
In the 96 previous home matches against Standard, Club recorded 50 wins, 24 draws and 22 defeats. The most recent victory dates back to 3 December 2023 (2–0), the last draw to 7 November 2021 (2–2), and the most recent defeat to 23 February 2025 (1–2).
In the first half of the season, Club managed to win away at Sclessin for the first time in eleven away matches. Standard took an early lead through Rafiki Saïd, but Christos Tzolis quickly scored the equaliser. After a red card for Marlon Fossey, the home side had to continue with ten men, and in the extra time Romeo Vermant secured Club’s first away win against Standard in 8.5 years (1–2).
Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Nicolò Tresoldi have not missed a single match this season and could therefore play their fortieth game of the campaign. Mechele is also on an impressive run of 81 consecutive matches, which places him twentieth on the club’s all-time list. Meanwhile, Joel Ordóñez returns after serving a two-match league suspension.
A win against Standard would also be the fifteenth of the season, the highest total after 24 matchdays in the past five years. It would also be the sixtieth victory under coach Ivan Leko.
The opponent
Standard visit Jan Breydel on Sunday evening for the match of the 24th matchday. Since the end of August, Vincent Euvrard (43) is the coach of the Rouches, who are experiencing an inconsistent season in which they have managed to win two matches in a row only once. After 23 matchdays they have 30 points, leaving them just three points short of a place in the Champions’ Play-Offs, although the battle is particularly tight with several clubs close together.
Comorian forward Rafiki Saïd is both the team’s top scorer and assist provider with four goals and three assists. Last weekend he also scored in the 2–0 win against Anderlecht, a victory that ended a run of three consecutive defeats. The other goal was scored by Ibrahim Karamoko, but he will be suspended on Sunday due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
In terms of absentees, Standard cannot rely on former Club Brugge player Casper Nielsen, who recently broke his elbow. Boli Bolingoli and goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo, both injured, will also miss this match. Defender Ibe Hautekiet, however, will be a player with a Club Brugge past lining up in red and white this Sunday.
During the winter transfer window, Standard said goodbye to Hakim Sahabo, who was sold to AEK Athens, but also brought in reinforcements. Teddy Teuma arrived from Stade Reims, left-back Gustaf Mortensen from Lyngby BK, and goalkeeper Belmin Dizdarević joined on a free transfer from Velež Mostar.
Milestones
- Joel Ordóñez could play his 110th official match for Club.
- It could be Kyriani Sabbe’s 100th match for Club! So far he has played 65 league matches, 6 Cup matches and 28 European matches for Club.
- Nordin Jackers is waiting for his 50th match for Club.
- For Nicolò Tresoldi, it could be his 40th match for Club.
- Joaquin Seys could play his 50th league match for Club.
- Shandre Campbell could play his 10th league match for Club.
- Hans Vanaken could play his 475th match in the Belgian First Division (76 for Sporting Lokeren and 398 for Club).
The Man in Black
Mr. Bram Van Driessche has been appointed referee for this match. He will be assisted by linesmen Mr. Michele Seeldraeyers and Mr. Quentin Lesceux, fourth official Mr. Bert Put, and VAR Mr. Lawrence Visser, assisted by Mr. Thibaud Nijssen and Mr. Christophe Snoeck.
The 40-year-old referee will officiate his 35th official match of Club Brugge. In the 16 previous home matches under his supervision, Club recorded 11 wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat. He has previously blown the whistle in one match between the two teams: on 13 May 2018, Standard and Club drew 1–1 in the Play-Offs. This season he has already refereed Club away at STVV (3–2) and Standard away at Union (3–0) and Anderlecht (1–0).