- Team standing: Charleroi are 5th in the First Division A - Conference Group 2026 table with 17 points from 31 matches.
- Opposition standing: Antwerp are 9th in the First Division A - Conference Group 2026 with 18 points from 31 games.
- Away record: Antwerp have won only 3, drawn 4 and lost 8 of their 15 First Division A - Conference Group 2026 away matches.
Side with Antwerp in closely contested recent history
Charleroi's system
Since Hans Cornelis took over as head coach in December 2025, Charleroi have played in a compact 4-2-3-1 system, prioritizing structured build-up play from the centre of the park, the ball-playing abilities of the midfield pivot and the narrow, risk-averse defensive block.
Antwerp's approach
Royal Antwerp FC have played in a three-at-the-back formation under Joseph Oosting since the new head coach took the helm in December 2025. Oosting has continued the pressing and vertical style of play at Antwerp. Their attacking style, which involves the wing-backs moving forward and high pressing, has left them vulnerable at the back, but when they do win the ball back, they can transition quickly to attack and punish the opposition.
Recent form and head-to-head
Charleroi have had a much more difficult recent record than Antwerp, losing each of their last 3 matches and failing to win any of their last 5. Antwerp have had a mixed spell of 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats in the last 5, but come into this game off the back of 2 consecutive defeats. Charleroi won 2-0 when they last met Antwerp away two months ago, and Charleroi have won 3 of the last 5 meetings between the two clubs.
Draw is probable
With both teams’ struggles to win and the closely contested nature of the recent history between these two sides, a draw looks the most likely outcome to this Conference Group showdown.
One of these teams will likely draw a blank on Friday, but with the offensive strengths of both sides and the defensive errors they have both been prone to this season, I’m backing over 2.5 goals in the game.
- Antwerp have 3 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in 15 away matches in the Conference Group 2026, conceding 14 goals.
- Charleroi have 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats in 15 home matches, averaging 1.33 goals per home game.
