Royal Antwerp FC faces RSC Anderlecht in a Jupiler Pro League classic on November 28 at the Bosuilstadion. This Round 13 clash pits two sides with starkly contrasting squad values against each other.
Antwerp enters the match with a squad valued at 59.2 million euros, while the visitors from Brussels have a valuation of 205.9 million euros. In the current league table, Antwerp sits fourth with 7 points from three games (2W-1D-0L) and a recent form of DWW. The team has scored nine goals this season, conceding five, and trails leaders Club Brugge KV by just two points. Top scorer Michael Frey, with four goals in three appearances, has been key to this strong start.
The Great Old remains unbeaten in the league this season, with two wins and one draw. Across all competitions, their form has been mixed, featuring a thrilling 4 4 draw with Genk and wins over Kortrijk, Beveren, and Westerlo. However, there were also two defeats to English sides Leyton Orient and Millwall. In the Jupiler Pro League, they are on an impressive run: Antwerp has scored in their last four league matches and is unbeaten in the last five. Manager Mark van Bommel is expected to field a 4 4 2 formation with captain Thibo Somers and striker Michael Frey leading the line.
RSC Anderlecht arrives with stronger resources on paper but has experienced a recent wobble. In the league, Purple White suffered a heavy 5 1 defeat to Union SG and also lost to SK Beveren. Yet, with five wins, one draw, and one loss, they remain firmly in the upper echelons. Their European form was better, with wins over PAOK and Kairat Almaty. Their unbeaten run across all competitions, however, ended at 31 matches, and they currently have just one consecutive win. Captain Colin Coosemans will need to stabilize his defense for this challenging trip.
The last five meetings show a fluctuating picture. Anderlecht won twice, including a 0 4 victory in Antwerp. The Great Old managed one win, a 0 1 result in Brussels. The other two matches ended in draws, 2 2 and 0 0. This shows that home advantage is no guarantee in this derby. The vast gulf in squad value will again be a factor, but Antwerp has proven they can bridge it with team spirit and organization. This season's match statistics can be found on our stats page.
A positive result against Anderlecht would further cement Antwerp's strong position in the top four and potentially close the gap to the summit. Confidence for the coming weeks would receive a major boost. Immediately after this classic, another important match awaits: on August 30, Antwerp hosts STVV, who are twelfth in the table. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page. The focus is now entirely on preparation for November 28, where the team aims to prove their current fourth place in the standings is no fluke.
