Alex MacQuoid
Two Belgian sides meet in Bergen on July 4 for a pre-season friendly that, despite the low-stakes format, carries genuine interest. Club Brugge, ranked among the top 30 clubs worldwide, are being put through their paces under Ivan Leko’s watch ahead of the new campaign, while Kortrijk arrive riding a perfect four-from-four run in their pre-season games under Michiel Jonckheere. That Kortrijk form is the interesting wrinkle here — they’ve been scoring freely against admittedly modest opposition, but the momentum is real.
Two players worth watching: for Club Brugge, any creative midfielder operating centrally will be key to breaking down Kortrijk’s defensive shape — Brugge’s recent 5-0 victories show they can dominate possession and create volume. For Kortrijk, their forward line has been relentless in pre-season, netting 20 goals across four matches, so whoever leads that press will be the one to keep an eye on.
Hot stat: Kortrijk have scored at least four goals in every single pre-season fixture this July, averaging five goals per game across their last four outings. That is genuinely unusual output for a side at this level in pre-season.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 04.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 14:00 CEST |
Club Brugge vs Kortrijk Prediction
Brugge are heavy favourites at 1.53, and honestly that price is understandable given the class gap between these two clubs over a full season. The Belgian Pro League title contenders have been putting five past Gent and Royale Union SG in recent outings, so their attacking output is not in question. We think the win for Brugge is the right call, though 1.53 is thin value for a friendly where rotation is almost guaranteed.
The better play might be in the goals market. Both teams have been scoring in pre-season — Kortrijk in particular have been relentless — and Brugge’s defensive record in friendlies has included a 2-2 draw with Mechelen. Goals from both sides feels realistic. Brugge’s style under Leko is possession-heavy and direct in the final third, while Kortrijk press high and commit bodies forward. That combination tends to produce open, high-scoring matches in a friendly context where defensive shape is still being drilled.
On fouls and cards, the detailed match stats for recent games are unavailable, but friendly matches between Belgian clubs typically stay disciplined — expect moderate foul counts and few bookings, which means the game should flow and corners will likely come in numbers as both sides push wide.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Club Brugge to Win & Both Teams to Score |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Team Analysis
Club Brugge have played five matches leading into this friendly, with their most recent fixture ending in a convincing 5-0 win over Gent on July 1. Before that, a 2-2 draw against Mechelen showed that Brugge are not immune to being caught out, particularly when the opposition presses with intent. Their 5-0 defeat of Royale Union SG and 3-1 win over Anderlecht earlier in the run suggest this squad is in good attacking shape. The form string reads well over the longer stretch, with only occasional dips. Ivan Leko’s side clearly have a clear attacking identity, and the five-goal haul against Gent is the sort of statement that carries weight even in pre-season.
Kortrijk’s pre-season has been borderline extraordinary on paper. Four matches, four wins, 20 goals scored and only 3 conceded. Their most recent games — 5-1 against Diksmuide and 5-1 against Oostende on July 23, followed by a 6-0 against Lauwe and 4-1 against KFC Marke — show a team that has been put through a very deliberate high-scoring warm-up schedule. The opponents are lower-league sides for the most part, so context matters. Their earlier result, a 3-1 win over Jeunesse Molenbeek back in May, shows the winning habit has been consistent. The form string reflects a competitive season behind them. Jonckheere has this group playing with confidence, and maybe that carries into a match against bigger opposition.
The two most recent Pro League meetings tell a split story. In January 2025, Brugge were heavy favourites at 76% and the match ended 1-1 — Kortrijk held their own. Before that, in September 2024, Kortrijk were actually slight favourites at 65% for a draw, but Brugge won 3-0. These two teams produce unpredictable results head-to-head, which is worth keeping in mind.
🚨Check out our dedicated Club Brugge vs Kortrijk stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Club Brugge the Favourite
- Moneyline Club Brugge 1.53 | Kortrijk 5.00
- Draw 4.00
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
The 1.53 on Brugge reflects the bookmakers’ 64% win probability, which aligns with the class difference between the clubs. Kortrijk at 5.00 is generous on the surface but maybe not as outlandish as it looks given their recent form and the head-to-head January result. The draw at 4.00 is the least appealing option — both teams have been scoring freely and a stalemate feels unlikely given Brugge’s firepower. We think the value in this market is actually in the goals rather than the result line, with both teams to score offering the most realistic upside given what we know about both squads right now.
Possible Starting Lineups
Club Brugge Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Simon Mignolet
- DF: Maxim De Cuyper, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Bjorn Meijer
- MF: Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken, Christos Tzolis
- FW: Ferran Jutgla, Casper Nielsen, Chemsdine Talbi
A 4-3-3 setup is what Leko has used most reliably, and this selection reflects the players who have featured most prominently through the pre-season. Hans Vanaken remains the creative engine in midfield — his ability to dictate tempo and pick passes between the lines is what makes Brugge tick. Ferran Jutgla is the one to watch up front; his movement and finishing have been sharp. Rotation will almost certainly happen in the second half, so the starting lineup matters more for the opening 45 minutes than the full 90.
Kortrijk Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Marko Ilic
- DF: Gianni Bruno, Julien De Sart, Arthur Theate, Hamza Choudhury
- MF: Aleksandar Radovanovic, Lior Refaelov, Stef Peeters
- FW: Skylar Richardson, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Thomas Henry
Jonckheere has likely been experimenting with a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 depending on the opposition. The pre-season goal glut suggests the forwards have been given license to press high and get forward in numbers. Thomas Henry is the focal point — physical, good in the air, and capable of holding up play when Kortrijk need to relieve pressure. Lior Refaelov adds the creativity behind, and his experience at this level is a genuine asset when facing a side as organized as Brugge.
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Kortrijk. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
TipsGG Match Prediction
Club Brugge should win this. The quality gap is real, the recent form is strong, and playing in Bergen in a controlled friendly environment suits a side that has been building momentum through June. Their 5-0 results against Gent and Royale Union SG show an attack that is firing, and Kortrijk — despite their impressive pre-season numbers — have been feasting on lower-league opposition.
That said, Kortrijk will not just roll over. The January head-to-head ended 1-1 when Brugge were 76% favourites, and this group has confidence from four straight wins. We think Brugge win, probably 3-1 or 3-2, with both teams finding the net. The Club Brugge Win and Both Teams to Score combination is our preferred play, and Over 2.5 goals is the market we feel most strongly about given what both squads have shown in the build-up to this match.
