Wisla vs Cercle Brugge KSV Prediction & Betting Tips (22 August)

The Polish team of Wisla Krakow comes from very, very far today. After losing the first leg in the previous round against the Slovaks of Trnava 3-1, they were able to come back to the scoreboard before winning after the fateful penalty shootout. Now, Krakow is two games away from joining a completely unheard of dream, playing in a European competition. As a reminder, the locals play in the 2nd division but they have redeemed their tickets to participate in these qualifications via the national cup, won against Pogon Szczecin 1-2 after extra time. The ultimate objective of this new season will be to achieve promotion to D1. However, after four days played, Wisla only occupies a sad 10th place, eight lengths behind the leading duo made up of Termalica and Leczna. Last weekend, still in the championship, the locals were held in check by Arka 2-2 while leading two goals to nothing but the exclusion of Biedrzycki allowed Arka to equalize in the last moments of the game. Opposite, we find a formation much better known to European radars, the Cercle Bruges. Author of a very good campaign in the championship last year which was punctuated by a place in the top 4, the Cercle therefore obtained its ticket for the Europa League play-offs.

In the 2nd round, faced with Kilmarnock, the 3 times Belgian champion did the job by winning the two matches 2-1 on aggregate. On the other hand, things went wrong against the Norwegians from Molde, notably during the first round with a defeat that was far too substantial in hostile territory 3-0. On the return, winner but insufficient to get back to the 1-0 mark, Bruges will therefore have to deal with this last round for the Conference which remains a great satisfaction since the club has not reached the group stage of European competition since 1997 , and a presence in the round of 16 at the Cup of Cups. The Belgian Jupiler League has resumed its rights, and for the moment, the evening visitors are lagging behind with 4 points collected in the space of... 4 matches. Last weekend, they were never able to take advantage of their numerical superiority to defeat Louvain on the road 1-1. 

There are a bunch of major players missing from the Poles. In this case, Sapala (17 appearances in the league last season), defender Colley (28 caps last year), goalkeeper Stepak, Szot (1 pass in 28 games last year), Duda (3 offerings last season), without forgetting to mention Fazlagic (returning from loan), Talar and Alfaro (3 goals, 6 assists last season). There are only Colley and Sapala who have played at least 1 match in the league this season. Despite the return victory against Molde, midfielder Francis (holder) threw the last chances of returning to the scoreboard to the sea for the Circle following his exclusion in the 1st period. He will logically be suspended for this first round.

The right back, Somers, left his teammates in the league in Louvain very quickly last weekend and he could stay with the medical staff this evening (uncertain). Note that Alama Bayo (18 years old), the Frenchman Efekele (1 goal last season in the league), and the holders Utkus and van der Bruggen are also in treatment (injured). The Circle will, on the other hand, be able to count on Ouattara (scorer once in the league) and especially on the unbeatable scorer Denkey (27 goals in the league last season), already scorer twice in four matches in the elite this season.