Standard Liege seek to put a disappointing opening day defeat in the Belgian Pro League behind them when they host Union SG at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Friday.

The Reds were beaten 1-0 by Sint-Truiden, while Union began their campaign with a 2-0 triumph at home to Anderlecht.

Match preview

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Liege cannot catch a break at the moment, with their indifferent pre-season form continuing into the new season.

Despite the summer of change at the club, with Carl Hoefkens appointed as the club's new head coach, only two wins were claimed in five off-season friendly games.

The 1-0 loss in gameweek one rankled because of the timing of Sint-Truiden's winning goal — a stunning 86th-minute strike from Aboubakary Koita — when the Reds thought they had a valuable point secured.

The absence of clean sheets since the start of pre-season is worrisome, with the club's only shutout in six games (competitive and non-competitive) coming in the 1-0 triumph over Dutch side Fortuna Sittard in mid-July.

After ending last season winless in eight league games (six losses), Standard Liege's run without picking up maximum points could extend to nine.

The hosts' indifferent form will be music to Union SG's ears, with the visiting side in better shape than Hoefkens's men, evidenced by performances and results.

Last season's final-day collapse may still be fresh in their minds, even if the Brussels club have looked undaunted by not sealing their first top-flight crown, going unbeaten in their tune-up games and sealing a routine 2-0 win over regional rivals Anderlecht.

Alexander Blessin's team kept five clean sheets in six off-season games and followed that up with another shutout in last week's gameweek one victory.

Dennis Eckert Ayensa and Cameron Puertas netted the goals against Anderlecht, with the latter a last-gasp spot kick converted when Anderlecht pushed for a late equaliser.

Union seek back-to-back triumphs to start the league campaign and will back themselves at a ground they claimed a 3-2 success in 2022-23.

Team News

Hoefkens's side suffered no injuries in the opening-day defeat by Sint-Truidense, so a similar Standard Liege lineup is expected on Friday.

The Reds will hope Isaac Price replicates the impressive showing from last week's debut as they seek their first triumph of the new term.

As for Union, it remains to be seen if Charles Vanhoutte is healthy to play after the midfielder was forced off in the 66th minute of their 2-0 win over Anderlecht.

Ross Sykes (knee) and Henok Teklab (muscle) are missing for Les Unionistes' gameweek two encounter in Liege.

Standard Liege possible starting lineup:
Bodart; Fossey, Bokadi, Vanheusden, Laursen; Balikwisha, O'Neil, Price; Donnum, Ohio, Kawabe

Union SG possible starting lineup:
Moris; Mac Allister, Burgess, Machida; Nieuwkoop, Amani, Lynen, Lapoussin; Rasmussen, Puertas; Ayensa

We say: Standard Liege 2-2 Union SG

Last season's encounters between Standard Liege and Union produced goal-laden games, and Friday's should be no different, even if a draw could be on the cards in Liege.


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