Standard Liège v Charleroi preview: Charleroi look to compound further misery on Standard Liège in the Walloon Derby. | OneFootball

The Conference League Play-off group leaders can move even further clear of the chasing pack as they travel to the Stade de Sclessin in search of a first away victory since February. Standard Liège are in disarray, having not won in their previous nine matches, and remaining winless in their last 26 play-off matches.

Les Zebras have maintained a strong home record throughout the campaign and are in pole position to achieve continental football for the first time since 2020/21, where they featured in the UEFA Europa League qualifying round. Charleroi’s attacking duo of Daan Heymans and Nikola Stulic are on red-hot form, with both having scored 13 league goals this campaign.

Manager Rik de Mil has spoken about bottling in the exciting emotions ahead of the derby. As reported by DH Sports, he says, “The most important thing is to remain calm and humble. We know it’s a different match, but that shouldn’t affect us. We have to keep our cool.”

As for Liége, one of the key players who is hoping to end this winless run is captain Marlon Fossey. Speaking to DH Sports, the 26-year-old said: “I really want to win, finally. I know only too well that it’s an embarrassing situation that annoys the fans.”

Manager Ivan Leko adds, “We have to make this pressure positive and, above all, we have to believe in ourselves.”

Les Rouches will have to cope without defender Bosko Sutalo, who picked up an injury against OH Leuven, as well as previous absentees Andi Zeqiri and Attila Szalai.

With bragging rights at stake, can Standard Liège finally claim their long-awaited win?

Kick off is at 13:30 CET.

GBENeFN | Samuel Fabre