Standard Liege — Royal Antwerp : Match Preview and Prediction for October 17,2025

Standard Liège: A Team in Disarray

Standard Liège enters this fixture in a precarious state, struggling significantly. Occupying 12th place, their recent form is a stark indicator of their struggles: two consecutive defeats against Anderlecht and Club Brugge before the international break. The home advantage at Sclessin has become a burden, with fans witnessing no victories in their last three home matches, including a demoralizing 0-3 loss to Cercle Brugge. A persistent issue for Standard is their inability to secure wins at home, having failed to do so in 12 of their last 13 domestic encounters.

Offensive Woes and Statistical Deficiencies

Their on-field performance paints a grim picture. A look at the statistics reveals their struggles: they rank 15th in the league for total shots and a dismal 16th (last) for shots from inside the box. This clearly highlights profound difficulties in generating genuine scoring opportunities. The team consistently fails to convert their attacking plays into tangible threats, underlined by a paltry 9 goals scored in 10 league matches.

Defensive Crisis and Key Absences

However, the most pressing concern is a catastrophic defensive injury crisis. Head coach Vincent Evrard finds himself with severely limited options. Four defenders – David Bates, Daan Dierckx, Boli Bolingoli, and Alejandro Calut – are sidelined due to injuries. Furthermore, midfielder Ibrahima Karamoko will miss the match due to suspension. Essentially, Standard’s defensive line is in ruins, facing a historically challenging opponent.

Antwerp’s Resurgence After International Break

While Royal Antwerp currently sits in 13th position and hasn’t secured a win in their last five outings, the surface-level statistics can be misleading; the devil, as always, is in the details. The recent international break appears to have benefited the team significantly. Head coach Stef Wils has openly expressed his satisfaction with the players’ dedication and effort during training sessions, indicating a positive shift in morale and preparation.

Key Returns and Boost in Squad Depth

A pivotal factor for Antwerp is the strengthening of their squad. Defender Daam Foulon is back in contention, and even more critically, midfielder Anthony Valencia makes his return to the roster after a seven-month absence. His inclusion promises to inject much-needed creativity and versatility into their attack, elements that have been visibly lacking in recent fixtures. Unlike Standard, who are mired in personnel crises, Antwerp is welcoming back fresh talent.

Antwerp’s Away Resilience and Set-Piece Threat

Despite not having secured an away victory this season, Royal Antwerp remains an incredibly tough team to beat on the road. Statistics underscore this resilience: they have avoided defeat in 14 of their last 19 away matches. This demonstrates the team’s capacity to rally and grind out results under challenging circumstances. Moreover, Antwerp leads the league in the number of free-kicks earned, which is consistently a potent offensive weapon.