Royale Union SG vs Liverpool prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 17:45.
The fate of Union Saint-Gilloise’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) season will come down to the final matchday, although their fate isn’t completely in their own hands. Union currently sit in third spot in Group E, three points behind second-placed Toulouse, and hence will need a win here against table-topping Liverpool to be coupled with a loss for the French outfit in order to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.
The plot thickens, as since Union drew both their matches with Toulouse, which team progresses will be decided firstly by goal difference, and secondly by total goals scored in the group, should they end up equal on points. At the very least, manager Alexander Blessin will be expecting his side to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs by holding onto third-place, as long as they don’t end equal on points or get leapfrogged by LASK this midweek. They certainly have more incentive to win than Liverpool and come into the game in fine form, losing just once across their last 13 competitive games (W10, D2) since losing at Anfield in round 2.
Liverpool have already done the hard-work of qualifying from Group E, and are guaranteed top-spot thanks to just one blemish in their five group games (W4, L1). As a result, Jürgen Klopp’s side now look primed to go one step further than their exploits during their last UEL campaign, where they were losing finalists in 2015/16.
The Reds will be buoyed by summiting the Premier league table over the weekend, after securing yet another come-from-behind victory when beating Crystal Palace 2-1. They’ll take that confidence to Brussels hoping to secure a 14th victory in what will be their 17th game against Belgium opposition (D2, L1), although winning half and losing half of their last six European away games proves nothing is guaranteed.
Players to watch: Union will be hoping that Mohamed Amoura is in the mood for goals here, especially after netting a brace at the weekend which extended his record of winning 19 of his last 20 matches when scoring (D1). Liverpool may look to Cody Gakpo for any potential response as six of his last eight goalscoring appearances have come on the road.
Hot stat: Union have been losing at half-time in four of their five UEL group games this season.