Betfair Live Video: Lierge not up to Standard against Anderlecht

Vukomanovic takes the reigns for Standard...

Reuben Thomas checks in on the champions in Belgium and Portugal and previews two top clashes available on Betfair Live video this Sunday...

Anderlecht vs Standard
Sunday 17:00

Sunday afternoon and a big rivalry from the Belgian Jupiler league as last year's top two face off in Brussels.

After eleven games gone champions Anderlecht again lead the way as they go in hunt of their fourth straight title. They have four wins and a draw from their first five home games and you need to go back to April to find their last loss in the league.

In midweek they looked to be claiming a famous win over Arsenal only to disappointingly drop their concentration levels late on and concede two heartbreaking goals. It was an unjust result and they will be determined to get it out of their system with a win on Sunday.

Despite their impressive showings so far this season that loss to Arsenal made it four matches without a win and coach Besnick Hasi will be concerned they are not scoring at the same rate they managed last year.

Strikers Cyriac and Archeampong worked tirelessly on Wednesday night and they may be rested with the more dangerous pair of Suarez and Mitrovic to start. Young Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic looks a superstar in the making and leads the goal scoring charts.

Visitors Standard Lierge are in disarray. After running their old foes Anderlecht so close last year this season has begun awfully. After ten games they find themselves in eleventh spot and are conceding over two goals a game.

Last week whilst trailing Zulte the 'Rouches' fans finally lost patience and started vandalising their stadium leading the game to be abandoned. In the wake of those ugly scenes their manager Guy Lazon, who had performed so admirably last season decided enough was enough and fell on his sword.

This weekend will see Ivan Vukomanovic take control of first team affairs in the league for the first time in his career and his job couldn't be harder considering the fixture.

Standard are without a win in five but their away form has been better than their home performances and a battling goalless draw with Sevilla on Thursday suggested there was still a lot of fight in the squad.

Don't expect a walkover but Anderlecht's impressive recent record against Standard should continue.

Recommended Bets:
Back Anderlecht to win @ 1.625/8
Back an Anderlecht clean sheet @ 2.568/5

Braga vs Benfica
Sunday 20:15

Sunday evening's action comes from 'The Quarry' in Braga as Champions Benfica attempt to continue their blistering start to the season.

Benfica are sitting pretty in top spot and are four points clear of Porto already, Jorge Jesus' side are again looking the pick of the pack in Portugal with six wins and a draw from their opening seven fixtures.

Despite the losses of some key names in the summer Benfica can still boast the likes of Gaitan, Salvio and Lima amongst their ranks and the emergence of the Brazilian attacking midfielder Talisca has been particularly pleasing for 'The Eagles' this year, he has notched six goals already.

Benfica's away form has been sensational recently; with their last three outings they have accumulated nine points and nine goals. All form points towards an away win however they traveled to Monaco on Thursday for a hard fought goalless draw in the Champions league and could be fatigued.

Hoping to capitalise on that tiredness will be Sergio Conceicao's Sporting Braga side team who have looked dominant at home so far this season.

Braga traditionally are hard to beat in their unique stadium, a resolute defence has been the basis to three home wins in which they have scored eight and conceded one so far this season. Their star man has been Ze Luis, the striker from Cape Verde and he will likely pose their biggest threat on Sunday evening.

Home or away Benfica are favourites in this league unless they are playing one of the other 'Tres Grandes' but this Sunday offers a rare opportunity to oppose the champions who may be the less energetic after their midweek exploits.

Recommended Bets:
Back Braga to win @ 4.67/2