Preview: Club Brugge vs Cercle Brugge - prediction, team news, lineups

Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge will lock horns at Jan Breydel Stadion on Saturday in what promises to be a feisty derby clash in round three of the 2025-26 Belgian Pro League.

Both sides have made less-than-perfect starts to the new campaign, but it is the hosts who will enter the weekend as favourites, given their dominant record in this fixture.

Match preview

Club Brugge come into this one on the back of a mixed start to the season, having followed their come-from-behind 2-1 home victory over European regulars Genk with a disappointing 2-1 defeat by the same scoreline against Mechelen in their second league outing.

However, Nicky Hayen's side responded well in midweek, bouncing back with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at RB Salzburg in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Blauw-Zwart lost out on the title to Union Saint-Gilloise last season, and will be hoping to stay close to the leading pack early on, though they currently sit sixth in the table with three points from their opening two matches.

Club Brugge will return to the comfort of their home ground this weekend, where they will be looking to extend their competitive unbeaten run to five matches, and maintain their early push.

They will also take confidence from their dominant record against their city rivals, who they are unbeaten against in their last eight meetings, winning three in that period, including each of the last two encounters.

Cercle Brugge have long struggled at this venue, with their last win on this ground coming in a cup match back in 2012, while they have not beaten Club Brugge in a league match here since 2010.

Groen en Zwart have started the season in similar fashion to how they ended the last, where they only narrowly preserved their top-flight status through the relegation playoffs after finishing 16th in the regular standings.

Onur Cinel’s side opened their new campaign with a goalless draw away at Dender, before suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Anderlecht in their second game, a result that highlighted their ongoing struggles in front of goal.

Even more worrying for Cercle is that they remain one of only two sides yet to score in the Belgian Pro League this season, with newly-promoted Louviere the only other team sharing that unwanted distinction.

Club Brugge Belgian Pro League form:

Club Brugge form (all competitions):

Cercle Brugge Belgian Pro League form:

Cercle Brugge form (all competitions):

Team News

Club Brugge will be without center-back Joel Ordonez who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury until later this month.

Gustaf Nilsson is also still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury that will keep him out until September, while Kyrian Sabbe is doubtful with a knock.

Christos Tzolis, who scored the only goal in the loss to Mechelen and Romeo Vermant, who scored the winner against Salzburg, are expected in a three-man attack alongside Hugo Vetlesen.

Cercle will remain without 19-year-old midfielder Abdoul Kader Ouattara due to an ongoing leg injury concern.

Winger Heriberto Jurado is also doubtful as he looks to recover in time from a knock he picked up recently.

Club Brugge possible starting lineup:

Mignolet; Spileers, Romero, Mechele, Seys; Onyedika, Reis, Vanaken; Vetlesen, Vermant, Tzolis

Cercle Brugge possible starting lineup:

Delanghe; Nazinho, Utkus, Ravych, Magnee; Gerkens, Van der Burgen, Diabi, Agyekum; Minda, Bayo

We say: Club Brugge 2-0 Cercle Brugge

Club Brugge enter this clash as clear favourites, backed by their dominant home record in this fixture and Cercle’s struggles in front of goal during the opening two rounds.

With more attacking depth, better squad, and the confidence of a strong start, the hosts are expected to take control early and dictate proceedings throughout.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.