Interim coach Bart Goor had hoped for the first three-peat of these Europe Plays Offs, but after another enjoyable game of football, the spoils were neatly divided between the two teams. Three attempts now remain to go off the pitch already winning once more, and to relive that feeling of the last time on 16 February against … Standard.

KVC Westerlo

Four substitutions were noted for the match against STVV. Bolat, Reynolds , Neustädter and Griffin Yow reappeared in the starting line-up, relegating Gillekens, Rommens and Sayyadmanesh to the bench. Number 4: Dogucan Haspolat then sat out another suspension day, having previously incurred 3 yellow cards in this mini-competition.

The Westel goals were of fine manufacture. The rocket fired by Jordan Bos – with his right – went straight into the top corner and Lucas Stassin was handed the 2-1 on a silver platter by Yow. By the way once and for all, you pronounce Griffin’s surname as Yauw.

In terms of selection news, not much will change, Haspolat will return to the core, from which one more person will then drop out on the spot. The challenge at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium will be once again. Shall we cite it one more time?  Since the blessed 1997 Westel year, our Kemphians have only once stepped off the pitch there already winningly and five times driven towards the Kuipje with a draw. The last two encounters at the ever-fiery stadium resulted in a draw each time.

Tuur Rommens, Lucas Stassin and Bryan Reynolds will have to be careful not to get a third yellow card under their noses, otherwise they will miss the last home match of this season against KV Mechelen.

Standard Liege

They had also imagined their season differently in Liege. The trainer change Hoefkens – Leko did not bring the desired result either and currently the latter is doing worse than his predecessor in terms of picking up points.

When Hoefkens got his C4 at the club after 183 days, he achieved a points average of 1.18 per game. Leko sits at 0.94, moving into third place in terms of totals in non-point grabbing in the fiery town. Well-known heads such as Johan Boskamp (0.50) and former national coach Robert Waseige did worse in the past (0.20).

A transfer ban is also currently on the cards, which does not make things look any brighter towards possible reinforcements,looking ahead to next season.

At 5 out of 21, they are doing slightly better than us, though. Five draws in a row, with then the defeat last week in Leuven. The people from Liège have also been waiting two months for a win (4-0 against Eupen), so they will also be greatly relieved if this happens on Friday.

A quite remarkable statistic is that they scored almost 70% of their goal total in the second half. The Ivorian Kanga has already got 12 against the enemy net and the Japanese Kawabe is the most involved in a goal (36%), he scored 7x himself and was also involved in a goal 8x.

We will also get acquainted with another goalkeeper, as it is all but certain that Arnaud Bodart will leave the club at the end of the season after 188 appearances and one goal, and 19-year-old Matthieu Epolo will get plenty of his chance to show himself.

Matonga Simonini

This 29-year-old Brussels native will lead this match and will forever be remembered, as it will be his debut in the Jupiler Pro League after having previously had the opportunity to whistle 40 matches in the Challenger Pro League.

We especially know him as the fourth ref in some of our matches.

Text and statistics: Peter Boons