Club Brugge welcome Monaco to the Jan Breydel Stadium for their opening clash in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The Belgians are coming off a poor start to the domestic season while the visitors have looked solid in the French Ligue 1 so far.
Club Brugge had a smooth ride to the league phase, winning all four of their qualifying matches. Nicky Hayen's men did the double over Rangers in the playoffs, claiming a 9-1 aggregate victory.
However, it has been mostly downhill since, as Club Brugge are winless in their opening two Jupiler League matches. They head into Thursday's clash off the back of a 1-0 defeat at RAAL La Louviere last weekend.
Monaco did not have to go through the qualifiers and had a direct berth into the league phase of the competition. They have made a solid start to the season, winning three of their opening four Ligue 1 matches.
The task for Monaco will be to carry that form into Wednesday's match. Adi Hutter’s men will head into this clash full of confidence, having claimed a 2-1 victory at Auxerre in a domestic fixture last weekend.
How the bookies view it: Little to separate them
There is little to separate both teams among the bookies, with a win for Club Brugge priced at 6/4 with BoyleSports, who are also offering 7/4 for a Monaco victory. A draw is set at odds of 11/4.
Head to head: Club Brugge with the edge
Club Brugge have a 2-1 edge, with one draw from four previous matches against Monaco. Both teams met in the Champions League back in 2018, with the Belgians picking up a 4-0 away victory.
Players to watch: Eyes on Akliouche
Maghnes Akliouche has been a revelation for Monaco over the past couple of seasons and already has two goals this term. The forward could be the one to watch on Thursday (Maghnes Akliouche anytime goalscorer – priced at 11/4 with BoyleSports).
The experienced Hans Vanaken is the one to keep an eye on for Club Brugge in this game, with four goals already this season. The forward was on target twice during the qualifiers and will be keen to maintain his scoring run (Hans Vanaken anytime goalscorer – valued at 10/3.
Probable line-ups:
Romeo Vermant is a doubt for Club Brugge, with the striker still recovering from a muscle injury. Kyriani Sabbe and Jorne Spileers should start in defence, while Raphael Onyedika gets the nod in midfield, with Vanaken, Christos Tzolis and Nicolo Tresoldi also expected in the starting XI.
Monaco are not expected to have goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky for this match due to a knee injury. Caio Henrique and Vanderson should get the nod in defence. Lamine Camara and Denis Zakaria could continue their midfield partnership, with Akliouche, Mika Biereth and Balogun featuring up front.
Club Brugge: Mignolet, Sabeer, Spileers, Mechele, Seys, Onyedika, Stankovic, Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis, Tresoldi
Monaco: Kohn, Vanderson, Dier, Mawissa, Henrique, Camara, Zakaria, Akliouche, Minamino, Biereth, Balogun
Anything else catch the eye?
Monaco have won at least one half in three of their last four matches (Monaco to win either half – available at 8/11 with BoyleSports). The French side have also scored first in three of their four matches (Monaco to score first – offered at 20/21).
Having scored over 1.5 goals in three of their last four matches, Monaco will be targeting a similar outcome, priced at Evens with Betfred, whose welcome offer for new users is quite generous.
The visitors have scored over 1.5 goals in three of their four matches (Monaco over 1.5 goals – available at odds of 20/21).
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