Belgian Jupiler
2005-08-21 - Lokeren vs FC Brussels
A Sports Betting Pick by Litmanen
• Looking at the odds, it appears the bookies have been fooled by Brussels’ result last week and although it was impressive, gaining a point against the reigning champions Brugge, it does not hide the fact that Brussels is one of the weakest sides in the league and nowhere near the level of a club like Lokeren.• To be fair though Brussels has got off to a flying start and few would have predicted that after two games, tricky ones at that away, to Beveren and at home to Club, that they would still be unbeaten with as many as four points to their name, but this will come to an end, and no time like the present.
• So far Lokeren too, is unbeaten, gaining a solid point at home to racing Genk, who is expected to be in the running for third place, and a well deserved victory against Mouscron, somewhere they have found points hard to come by in the past, so there should plenty of confidence in the home camp.
• The hosts’ defence is perhaps their biggest asset and that has been proven in the first two games where they have only conceded once, and that was via a penalty, so in 180 minutes, Lokeren is yet to concede in open play, and with attackers Drulic and Bouchouari on their books, they pose a huge danger at the other end as well.
• Last season Lokeren could only just about grind out a 1-0 victory at home when the sides met but they did take the points and that is all that matters, something they did in the reverse as well, so the head to head record also favours Lokeren – in fact there is little that does not support a home win.
• Finally, Lokeren, having gained some game time in the Intertoto Cup, which they used only to build up fitness, not caring about results so much, should be the fitter of the two sides and that extra yard of sharpness will ensure a home win in this one.
The Pick :
Lokeren
