Union Saint-Gilloise lost out on the First Division A title last season by a single point to Club Brugge but have started the new campaign as they mean to go go, beating the champions in the Belgian Super Cup last weekend.
Hosts Dender make their return to the top flight of Belgian football for the first time since 2009 and what a baptism of fire in looks set to be against one of the favourites to clinch the title this season.
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Dender vs Union Saint-Gilloise prediction: Goals expected at the DENDER Football Complex
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in three of Dender's last five matches.
- Union SG have scored in each of their last 11 fixtures across all competitions.
- Cameron Puertas scored 11 times in the First Division A last season for Union SG and has scored seven times in his last ten appearances.
Correct score prediction: Dender 1-3 Union SG
Dender have conceded at least three goals in two of their last four outings and Union SG have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last six attempts.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Union SG backed by the bookmakers
- HOME: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
- DRAW: 39/10 (4.90) – 20.4%
- AWAY: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Union SG are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 69.2%, and we can't really argue against the bookmakers on their prediction.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Level pegging
These two sides have met four times before with Dender winning the opening two encounters in 2006 and 2007 and Union SG winning the most recent two meetings during the 2012/13 Second Amateur Division season.
Dender preview: Back in the big-time
Dender made their return to the First Division A after finishing as the runners-up in Belgium's second tier last season.
The race for promotion to the top flight proved to be a very close race with plenty of participants and in the end, Dender finished two points behind the champions Beerschot and just a point ahead of Deinze, two points clear of Lommel and three ahead of Zulte Paregem and Patro Eisden Maasmechelen.
Predicted lineup: Devriendt (GK), Goncalves, Ruyssen, Cools, Pupe, Hens, Rôdes, Soladio, Ferraro, M'Barki & Nsimba
Belgium First Division A 11/05/25
W
OH Leuven
0
FCV Dender EH
5
Belgium First Division A 02/05/25
L
Westerlo
4
FCV Dender EH
2
Belgium First Division A 26/04/25
L
Charleroi
4
FCV Dender EH
1
Belgium First Division A 22/04/25
W
Charleroi
1
FCV Dender EH
2
Belgium First Division A 19/04/25
D
OH Leuven
4
FCV Dender EH
4
Union SG preview: Started as they mean to go on
Union SG will have been left very frustrated with their poor end-of-season form as at one point it looked certain that they were going to claim the 2023/24 First Division A title.
Union faced the champions Club Brugge in the Super Cup last weekend where a penalty from Cameron Puertas gave Sebastien Pocognoli's side the lead at the interval.
Young defender Fedde Leysen doubled Union's advantage just two minutes into the second 45 and although Club Brugge pulled a goal back late on, Union SG held firm to claim the first silverware of the new season.
Predicted lineup: Moris (GK), Machida, Mac Allister, Leysen, Castro-Montes, Puertas, Vanhoutte, Sadiki, Eckert Ayensa, Kabangu & Teklab
Belgium First Division A 10/05/25
W
Anderlecht
0
Union Saint Gilloise
1
Belgium First Division A 03/05/25
W
Genk
0
Union Saint Gilloise
1
Belgium First Division A 27/04/25
D
Club Brugge
0
Union Saint Gilloise
0
Belgium First Division A 24/04/25
W
Club Brugge
0
Union Saint Gilloise
1
Belgium First Division A 20/04/25
W
Genk
1
Union Saint Gilloise
2
Player to watch – Cameron Puertas
Cameron Puertas was arguably the player of the season in the First Division A last season, providing assists and scoring goals from midfield for Union SG.
Many are surprised to see Puertas still at Union this summer but the transfer windows around Europe are still open and there is plenty of time for someone to make a bid for the Swiss/Spanish midfielder who could represent either country if called upon.
Puertas was an assist-machine for Union SG last season
Puertas, 25, scored 11 times in the league last season and was Union's main penalty taker, but also chipped in with four goals in cup competitions.