Royal Antwerp vs KV Oostende Prediction 29.02.2024

• Competition: Croky Cup - Semi-Finals 2nd Leg
• Date: Thursday, 29th, February 2024
• Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20.45 CET
• Venue: Bosuilstadion (Antwerp)

Eyeing a back-to-back appearance in the Belgian Cup final, Royal Antwerp faces the challenge of second-tier opponents KV Oostende at their Bosuilstadion in the return fixture on Thursday.

Royal Antwerp vs KV Oostende Betting Tips: AH1 (-1.5)

Despite their dominance on the field earlier this month, Royal Antwerp failed to translate it into a result, resulting in a hand-shaking 1-1 draw with the second-tier outfit at Diaz Arena, and the winner of this rematch will battle against the runaway leaders Royale Union SG or Club Brugge for the trophy.

Following that level pegging in the Crocky Cup, the Belgian champions have displayed a mixed bag of form on the home front, as a sharp-as-a-tack 4-0 victory over RWDW was followed by some tough results, succumbing to a narrow 0-1 loss against Mechelen and salvaging a late point in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Gent last time out.

While tasting the bitterness of a recent home loss, the Great Old will believe that this setback is just a passing cloud in their otherwise sunny home record, where they have come out on top on seven occassions out of the last 10 matches, with one of those triumphs coming in the last-16 round of the Belgian Cup when they crushed Charleroi 5-2.

Despite missing their chances to seize the lead from the first-leg clash, coach Mark van Bommel's squad should feel confident of sealing their spot in the Crocky Cup final in a routine fashion, as they have outplayed KV Oostende with at least a two-goal margin in four out of the last five H2H meetings in front of their own supporters.

Although aiming to bolster their confidence before the decisive second-leg cup clash at the Bosuilstadion, De Kustboys faltered over the weekend, suffering a humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of Club Brugge's youthful squad, a result that has left them uncomfortably close to the relegation zone with only a slim three-point lead.

Granted, KV Oostende has been on a stellar run of form on their travels in recent months, going undefeated in ten straight road matches across all competitions (W6, D4), but it's truly hard to envision them holding the Jupiler Pro League title holders in suspense. Considering the vast gulf in class between these sides, coupled with van Bommel fielding a strong lineup, anything other than Antwerp cruising to a smooth victory would be a shock.