RAEC Mons vs Club Brugge
Belgian Jupiler LEague
KickOff 19:30 GMT

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The Belgium Jupiler League restarts this weekend after a short winter break, and bottom table Mons will host 2nd place Brugge in the 1st match of this week's fixtures.

RAEC Mons :

Mons are in serious trouble this season, as they are currently last in the table, with only 10 pts collected from 17 games. They had a successful season back in the Jupiler League last season, finishing in 9th place, but are struggling to repeat that this season.

An important reason for Mons struggles this season has been their inability to collect pts in their home stadium. Last season Mons had the 5th best home record, with a 10w 4d 3l record at home, and that helped them reach mid-table.

However, this season, Mons has an awful home record of 1w 4d 3l, scoring 6 conceding 10. Their only home win has come against 2nd from bottom Molenbeek, and although they impressively held league leaders Standard Liege 1-1, a quick check shows that Liege is not doing well away from home, drawing 6 of 8 games on the road.

The other 3 draws came against Genk, Mechelen and Sint Truidense. Failure to win against fellow strugglers and weak travellers Mechelen and Sint Truidense further shows the weakness of Mons in front of their own fans this season. A main worry for the team is their inability to score goals at home this season, with the 6 goal tally being the lowest in the league. Whereas Mons have scored the 3rd most goals in the league on the road this season.

Defence wise, it is also a worry for Mons. Although their tally of 10 goals conceded is the lowest among the bottom teams, but in the whole of last season, Mons only conceded 12 goals at home, which was the best defensive home record. Clearly Mons has to find an answer to their horrendous dip in home form fast, if they are to avoid relegation for a 2nd time in 4 seasons.

Last 5 home games for Mons (0-3-2) :
Mons 0-0 Sint Truidense
Mons 1-3 Westerlo
Mons 0-2 Cercle Brugge
Mons 1-1 Standard Liege
Mons 1-1 Genk

Last 5 home games read as 0w 3d 2l, scoring 3 conceding 7.

Club Brugge :

After getting knocked out of the Belgium Cup by rivals Cercle Brugge in midweek, the only remaining silverware that Club Brugge can win is the league title, having already been knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Brann Bergen.

After finishing a disappointing 6th place in the league last season, and a disgraceful 26pts gap away from Champions Anderlecht, Brugge is looking to claim back some pride this season. Brugge currently stands on 2nd place, level on pts with leaders Liege, although Brugge does have a game in hand.

One worry for Brugge this season has been their lack of goals, with the total of 24 being the lowest in the top 5. However, they are strong defensively, with the total of 12 goals conceded being the joint lowest in the league with Liege.

Brugge has the best away record so far this season, with 5w 2d 1l, scoring 13 conceding 8. The only away loss came against leaders Liege, while the 2 draws were against Charleroi and Mechelen.

Last 5 away games for Brugge (4-1-0) :
Roeselare 1-2 Club Brugge
Cercle Brugge 1-2 Club Brugge
Genk 1-2 Club Brugge
Molenbeek 1-3 Club Brugge
Charleroi 1-1 Club Brugge

Last 5 away games read 4w 1d 0l, scoring 10 conceding 5. After their only away loss (in fact only loss in the league this season) against Liege, Brugge are on a unbeaten run of 5 matches away from home. Interesting point to note is that Brugge has scored in every away game this season, but has only kept 1 clean sheet in their 8 away games this season.

HEAD TO HEAD

Brugge has played at Mons 4 times, and have 2w 1d 1l, scoring 11 conceding 2. Note that 9 of the 11 goals came in one game. The only win for Mons came last season, when they were strong at home.

The 2 clubs have already met this season, with Brugge winning at home by 2-1.

The Verdict :

Brugge have only the league title to aim for this season, and being level on pts and having a game in hand is a great advantage for them.

Liege is playing at home against weak travellers Zulte Waregem this weekend, and is expected to pick up the 3 pts, so Brugge knows that they cannot afford to drop pts, especially since they are playing against bottom table Mons.

Also, Brugge can go top of the table, 3 pts ahead Liege who plays later on saturday, and i do not expect them to waste this opportunity to put pressure on Liege.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Club Brugge to win @ 1.70 bet365