Good operation for Anderlecht, a good Standard held in check, several matches postponed: what to remember from the 31st day of D1A (videos)

Anderlecht carries out the beautiful operation

Sporting Anderlecht won this Sunday, against Zulte Waregem, the first of the four finals they still have to play before the end of the classic phase of D1A. Yet put under great pressure after Jelle Vossen’s opener after only 5 minutes of play at Lotto Park, the Mauves managed to turn the tide. Helped by the exclusion of Damien Marcq (26th), Kompany’s men then unfolded thanks to goals from Anouar Ait El Hadj, Michael Murillo, Yari Verschaeren and Abdoulaye Diaby. A success which allows Anderlecht, still 5th on equal points with Ostend, to hang on in the race for the Top 4, and to grab two points from Genk, before facing Antwerp then FC Bruges.

A three-team fight for the Playoffs 1?

Apart from the victory of the Mauves against a direct competitor, Antwerp created a surprise by winning in Bruges (0-2), Ostend returned to victory in Mouscron (0-1) and Mechelen and OHL shared the stake (2-2), each losing two precious points.

Results which somewhat clarify the race for Playoffs 1: with its victory, Antwerp, which was already in a good position, seems to have taken a real option on the Top 4. Just behind, Genk conceded ground to Ostend and Anderlecht , real winners of the weekend. The Limburgers are only a small point ahead of their two pursuers, and a three-team fight is emerging to snatch the last two qualifying places for Playoffs 1, given that OHL, 6th, is now at 4 Anderlecht points.

Despite a good performance, Standard sees the Top 4 soar

If he could still feed some hopes of Playoffs 1, Standard must now resolve to fight for the Top 8, qualifying in Playoffs 2. Despite a solid performance, the Rouches were unable to win at Genk (2 -2), and are 8 points behind on 4th and 5th places with only three matches to go. If it is not yet mathematically finished, it would take more than a simple miracle for the Liege who should win their last three matches, while hoping for three defeats from Ostend and Anderlecht, as well as missteps from the other six teams. interspersed between 5th place for Les Mauves and their 12th place in the standings.

However, Standard are only two points behind Zulte Waregem’s 8th place, and should make Playoffs 2 their main goal at the end of the classic phase, pending the Belgian Cup final against Genk.

Two matches postponed, including Beerschot – SC Charleroi

The coronavirus has also come to play the spoiler in this breathtaking end of the season, causing the postponement of a decisive match in the fight for the Playoffs: Beerschot – Sporting Charleroi. Due to the many positive cases on the carolo side, the meeting could not be disputed and is postponed until April 7. In case of victory, the Zebras would return to equality with their opponent from Antwerp (7th), who could come back to him two points from Ostend and Anderlecht. A decisive meeting therefore, during which the Zebras would do well to win to get back into the Top 8, and perhaps even continue to dream of Playoffs 1.

The match between Sint-Truiden and Waasland-Beveren, who are both struggling at the bottom of the standings, also could not be held, due to the number of positive Covid 19 cases among the Trudonnaires.

Bad operation for Excel Mouscron

Finally, Mouscron narrowly bowed on his lawn against Ostend, and remains under the threat of the Cercle de Bruges (17th), beaten at La Gantoise (1-0), which is only one point behind the Hurlus in the race to maintain. Three days before the end of the classic phase, the people of Bruges occupy the place of jump-off and will want at all costs to exceed Excel to save themselves directly.

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