Belgium Pro League 2025/26 Matchday 1, Friday, 07/25/2025, 8:45 p.m.
Placing an Antwerp Union St. Gilloise bet at my trusted digital betting office is my top priority this Friday.
If only because it is the most prestigious match in Europe in this still very young 2025/26 soccer season. Two such strong teams have rarely faced each other this season!
Antwerp is going into the 2025/26 season with confidence. The latest test match results give cause for hope: the team put in a commanding performance against both Willem II (2-0) and Eupen (2-0), looking particularly solid in defense and conceding very few chances.
The team therefore seems ready for the opening day of the Belgian Pro League this coming Friday.
However, there is also a downside. Before the start of the season against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, there were some personnel setbacks: with Achihi, the long-term injured Engels and Valencia, three potential starting players are unavailable.
Coach Andries Ulderink will therefore have to improvise right at the start of the season.
At least the first eleven have looked well-rehearsed so far, which will be necessary against Royale Union – last year’s champions remain one of the strongest opponents in Belgian football’s top flight.
However, with a well-functioning team and home advantage behind them, the hosts should remain competitive on Friday even with three players missing.
Royale Union, meanwhile, are traveling to the league opener with a lot of anger in their bellies, as the bitter 1-2 defeat in the Super Cup against FC Bruges is still fresh in the minds of the “Royalists.”
Coach Sebastien Pocognoli’s side was the better team for long periods, but failed to capitalize on too many chances and made too little of its 57% possession.
It was an unfortunate setback that the team will now look to turn into new energy against Antwerp.
The record against RAFC speaks for itself: Last season, Royale Union not only celebrated two championship round victories – it outclassed the club from the bustling port city on both occasions.
The 5-1 win in the first leg and the 4-0 win in the second leg of the 2024/25 championship round were humiliating defeats that will not be forgotten in Antwerp anytime soon. Union was livelier, more consistent and, above all, tactically superior.
The visitors are also a force to be reckoned with away from home, winning seven of their last eight league games on the road and always putting in courageous attacking performances.
Antwerp has been warned – especially since the Royale Union, who are strong away from home, are not only highly motivated on the road, but also, as reigning Belgian champions, are determined not to mess up the start of the new 2025/26 season.
By the way: A betting provider with fast payouts – such as Bet365 – is particularly interesting for tips like mine, which predict a lively game with goals from both sides.
Because if the Antwerp Union St. Gilloise tip comes in and you win the odds of around 1.62, you’ll want to get your winnings transferred to your account on the same day, right? With Bet365, you can!
In my opinion, there are two tips for this prestigious match that could really pay off – especially with a generous odds boost!
Tip number one: Antwerp to win. The Belgians are going into the game with a lot of confidence, and at odds of 3.35, a bet could really pay off. The hosts seem more stable at the moment and have the potential to pull it off – especially in their home stadium.
Alternatively (or in addition), it’s worth taking a look at the number of goals: Over 2.5 goals is currently available at 1.75 – and that looks damn attractive considering that this mark has been broken in each of the last four direct encounters.
So it tends to go back and forth between the two teams.
With a boost in the odds, the whole thing is twice as fun – and if you combine cleverly, you’ve got real value on your ticket.
Conclusion: This should be a lively game with plenty of action at both ends. Especially when you consider the recent encounters between Antwerp and Union St. Gilloise.
Last season, the two opponents met five times – in the league and cup – and in four of those games, more than 2.5 goals were scored. Offensive power is therefore guaranteed, especially as both teams like to play openly.
If you like to see a lot of goals, you should get your money’s worth here. A bet on over 2.5 goals is definitely worth considering given the history between these two teams.
However, my primary prediction is: Both teams to score.
