Antwerp — Brugge : Match Preview and Prediction for October 26,2025

Stef Wils’ team began the championship with impressive vigor, embarking on a five-match unbeaten run. However, as autumn progressed, the Antwerp side’s performance gradually declined. They now face the vice-champion on the back of a six-match winless streak. In recent years, the hosts have seen their standing in the Jupiler League diminish, consistently failing to qualify for European competitions, and the team has shown a clear regression towards mediocrity. This current vulnerability is something the visitors can certainly exploit.Ahead of their clash with Brugge, Antwerp suffered a frustrating 0-1 defeat in Liege against Standard. Despite playing with a numerical advantage from the 40th minute, they failed to capitalize on it. The match was interrupted several times due to crowd disturbances, disrupting the visitors’ rhythm. Consequently, Antwerp enters the Brugge game having lost four of their last six matches – a far from satisfactory record. For this upcoming fixture, Antwerp will be without Engels, Praet, Kerk, and Heyremans, all of whom represent significant absences for the team.

Brugge has experienced a mixed week of results. On one hand, Nicky Hayen’s team managed a crucial away victory against Oud-Heverlee Leuven in Heverlee, sealed by a goal from Ciolisa. On the other hand, the dark blues subsequently suffered a 0-4 thrashing from Bayern Munich in Germany. While this outcome was somewhat anticipated, the Belgian vice-champion wasn’t expected to concede so heavily, struggling from the outset at the Allianz Arena.This defeat, however, inadvertently saved some energy for the visiting players. After falling 0-3 behind in the first half, there was little point in exerting themselves unnecessarily in Germany. Domestically, their pursuit of Union Saint-Gilloise must continue. Brugge currently trails the Brussels club by three points, a deficit that remains manageable even as the first half of the season draws to a close. For the match against Antwerp, they will be without Mignolet, Onyedika, and Reis.