We should all be looking at the Belgium euro 2020 final odds at overlyzer.com, because as we stand, they are definitively one of the greatest contenders for the title. They are, after all, the number 1 in the National Ranking. Where does all this talent comes from, one asks?
Where are the Hazards found, Lukaku, Witsel, De Bruyne, Carrasco, Vermaelen… Well, the list goes on and on. The truth is, all these talents don’t stay in the Belgian Pro League for too long. The League just hasn’t the money or the appeal to maintain these talents in their mainland. But whether or not they can’t maintain talent, they can surely create and foster it, offering the world incredible and very different players, to pretty much every position.
They also have teams with a lot of history, and European success: that is, until the Bosman law came along, and European football was shaped by it, changing abruptly and indelibly. Now, their chances in Europe are slim, but in National terms, the fight remains strong and partitioned.
Without further ado, let’s look at the main contenders, and see their strengths when it comes to conquer the Jupiler Pro League.
RSC Anderlecht
As historic as they come, Anderlecht has museums filled with titles, great European moments, and enormous players. Nmencha is probably the most well-known prospect playing at Anderlecht, but Verschaeren may be making the headlines in the space of one of two years, as yet another star rising from Belgium. Surely, Club Brugge has a head start, but Anderlecht, as their opponents know too well, may have a card up their sleeves.
Club Brugge K.V.
Two titles in a row seem enough for us, but certainly not for Club Brugge’s fans and management. They will surely try to make the threefold, for the second time in their history. Brugge has also a squad up for the job: Bas Dost is a dutch panzer, a sharpshooter with an eye for goal, Mignolet has Premier League experience and is quite stable at its post, and then Nabil Dirar, Tahit Chong, Balanta, and the likes, are all able and keen to add titles to their career. They are truly a force to be reckoned with.
KAA Gent
Losing Jonathan David was a harsh blow to Gent’s chances for the title this year, but they still have players up and eager for the task. There’s no doubt, at least in any Gent’s fans minds, that they will at least have a word to say: Yaremchuk, their star, is akin to an earthquake for any team that is unfortunate to stand in its away, while Chakvetadze is a stable and responsible midfielder, stabilizing the team on both ways. Both of them internationals, and both of them the best players of this side.
Standard Liége
Finally, Standard. Sure, they have not been so bright in the last couple of seasons, but they are an historic contender and, if this year showed fans anything, is that surprises can and will happen. When you have Muleka, Vanheusden, Carcela and Rauskin, can at least hope to bother the main contenders and stress just enough that perhaps, with a bit of the champions lucky star, surpass them and end winning a title that has been fleeing from Standard Liége from, fans would argue, far too long. The bets are on, and history means nothing when the points are leveled by 0 and the winners are those who fight the hardest.
