Jupiler Pro League
The denouement of the Belgian title battle will be a duel between three teams. A scenario in which two of them end the Champions’ Play-offs with equal points is not imaginary. But who gets to celebrate?
Anderlecht and Club Brugge are tied for the lead with 42 points after six matchdays in the Champions’ Play-offs, while Union follows in third place with 41 points. If this were the final score, Anderlecht would be champions.
Both the people of Brussels and the West Flemish received half a point when the points were halved, because they ended the regular competition with an odd number of points. Why is Anderlecht above Club Brugge? Because it was the highest ranked after the regular season: second (Club was only fourth). The association regulations state that purple and white therefore get the advantage.
After the six out of six against Antwerp, Union is also fully committed to the title. The people of Brussels are now one point out of the first two. If it finishes the Champions’ Play-offs with the same number of points as Anderlecht and Club, it will be champion. Because Alexander Blessin’s team was first after the regular competition and did not receive an extra half when the points were halved.
In short: Club Brugge can never become champions with an equal number of points, Union is always champions with an equal number of points.
Programma Champions’ Play-offs
7th match day:
Saturday May 4: Cercle-Genk
Sunday May 5: Antwerp-Club Brugge; Union-Anderlecht
8th match day:
Saturday May 11: Anderlecht-Genk
Sunday May 12: Antwerp-Cercle
Monday May 13: Club Brugge-Union
9th match day:
Sunday May 19: Cercle-Union; Anderlecht-Club Brugge
Monday May 20: Genk-Antwerp
10th match day:
Sunday May 26: Union-Genk; Club Brugge-Cercle; Antwerp-Anderlecht
(jswk)
