Royale Union SG take on Antwerp in the final match of Belgian Cup. The match will be played on Thursday, April 9th at King Baudouin Stadium (Brussels).
Union are having a very respectable season and are seriously contending for the double in Belgium. In the country's championship, the team is currently third in the table, trailing the leader by just two points, and with three rounds to go, much can change. In the cup, there's one step left - to defeat Antwerp in the final and claim this trophy for the first time since 1914! I believe that Union's footballers are more than capable of achieving this. Both over the season and specifically at this moment, they are stronger than their opponents. Not long ago, Alexander Blessin's charges overcame their slump, which lasted for over a month, and in the second half of April, they twice convincingly defeated Antwerp in the championship.
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Indeed, within four days, the reigning champions suffered two painful and humiliating defeats to their upcoming cup final opponents: 0-3 at home and 1-4 away. And overall, if we consider the last seven matches of the Reds in all competitions, they lost six of them. Adding to Union's two victories, we can include their losses to Brugge (0-3 and 1-2), Genk (0-1), and Anderlecht (0-1). In the country's championship, Antwerp are sixth in the table and only maintains slim chances of qualifying for the Champions League. It would seem that they need to muster all their strength and fight for the cup trophy. Antwerp might fight, but where do they get this strength when it's not there?
I dare to bet on Union's victory in this final without any insurance or draw combinations. The potential hosts (potential because the match will be held in Brussels) are objectively stronger at the moment than Antwerp. The current season has seen Union perform at their peak, while Antwerp have been struggling from match to match. Even looking at the teams' paths to the cup final, Union eliminated Brugge just one step before the decisive match, having previously defeated Anderlecht. Antwerp's route was much easier: Charleroi, OH Leuven, Ostend. My prediction is for Union to win.
Prediction for the match: Royale Union SG to win.
