Antwerp v Dender Preview: Can Antwerp keep up pressure on Pro League leaders Genk? | OneFootball

The Belgian Pro League returns on Friday night with newly promoted Dender travelling to Antwerp. The hosts were not expected to be challenging at the top of the table but find themselves just five points behind leaders Genk with 14 games played. Dender were expected to struggle to compete at this level but have also performed above expectations, with 17 points from their opening 14 games.

For Antwerp, the summer signing of former QPR man Tjaronn Chery has been an incredible piece of business. The 36-year-old Suriname international has scored seven goals and grabbed four assists. The midfielder has linked up well with former Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen, who has scored five goals and grabbed six assists. Antwerp’s three headed attacking snake is completed by young Swedish winger Jacob Ondrejka, who has seven goals and four assists so far this season.

Dender would love to have that level of attacking quality. Bruny Nsimba, the star of their promotion campaign, has scored three goals in 14 games. However, he has not scores since the 31st of August, a goal drought of eight games. They could really do with him finding the net again. 27-year-old midfielder Joedrick Pupe has been a stand out performer this season with four assists in 12 games.

Antwerp have the second best home record in the league, with five wins and two defeats from seven games. They have only conceded four goals at home. Dender, away from home, have won most of their points. The newly promoted side have won two, drawn two and lost two on the road. They have scored seven and conceded 11.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson – Author of The Africa Cup of Nations: The History of an Underappreciated Tournament