Westerlo host Standard Liege at Het Kuipje for their final match in the Belgian Pro League European playoffs. The two teams last met on matchday four of the playoffs when they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Liege. Westerlo's wait to compete in qualifiers for European competition has been extended to 14 years, as they have missed out on qualifying for the Conference League for the third successive season since securing promotion to the top flight. Their fate was sealed when they threw away a 3-1 lead with half an hour remaining to lose 4-3 away against Charleroi, who has secured top spot in the six-team standings to progress to the playoff final against Royal Antwerp. Westerlo has now posted three wins, four draws and two defeats across nine matches, and sit second in the playoff standings. They are now seeking to consolidate second spot on Saturday against a Standard Liege outfit whom they have beaten five times in their last nine home meetings, drawing the remaining four. Standard Liege are in danger of finishing rock bottom of the six-team playoff standings, as they are the only team who are still searching for their first win having drawn six and lost three of their nine games. Goals have been at a premium in games involving the Reds, who have found the net just five times and have conceded only eight across their nine fixtures. Standard Liege finished the regular season in seventh place, but they now sit at the foot of the six-team playoff standings, just one point behind fifth-placed Leuven heading into their final match this weekend. Ivan Leko's side have failed to win any of their last 12 league games since stunning title hopefuls Club Brugge by a 2-1 scoreline away from home in mid-February, while their last trip to Westerlo ended in a 4-2 defeat in February. Westerlo left-back Jordan Bos is set to remain sidelined with a hamstring injury, but midfielder Dogucan Haspolat is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine scored his sixth goal of the season last time out and could continue in the number 10 role, while former Sporting Lisbon and Leicester City striker Islam Slimani, 36, will continue to battle with 14-goal top scorer Matija Frigan for a start up front. As for Standard Liege, they will be without Bosko Sutalo, David Bates, Boli Bolingoli, Souleyman Doumbia and top scorer Andi Zeqiri due to injury, but midfielder Sotiris Alexandropoulos is available to return after serving a one-game ban. Andreas Hountondji and Dennis Eckert have scored four of the Reds' five goals in the playoffs and both players are expected to retain their places in the final third. Westerlo possible starting lineup: Jungdal; Reynolds, Lapage, Bayram, Rommens; Van den Keybus, Piedfort; Yow, Devine, Sakamoto; Frigan. Standard Liege possible starting lineup: Epolo; Ngoy, Hautekiet, Dierckx; Fossey, Amani, Bulat, Karamoko, Calut; Eckert, Hountondji. We say: Westerlo 2-0 Standard Liege. Both teams are merely playing for pride in this final fixture with Westerlo heading in as favourites. Standard Liege are determined to end their drought.
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Westerlo face Standard Liege in final match
Westerlo host Standard Liege at Het Kuipje for their final match in the Belgian Pro League European playoffs. Read the latest news on Westerlo and their battle for a European spot
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