Will Vertonghen get a rest against Villareal?

INJURIES Het Laatste Nieuws considers it quite likely that Jan Vertonghen will be rested against Villareal on Thursday. The defender injured his ankle late last week. He played against Gent, but was pulling at times. In view of Sunday's very important match against Cercle, he may be spared on Thursday. And he's not alone.


After the defeat in Gent, Anderlecht has its back against the wall on Sunday against Cercle. In case of defeat, Anderlecht already has to make up seven points in the battle for Play-Off 2. A lot with only five games left to play. So Sunday's match is of enormous importance.

However, statistics this season show that Anderlecht leaves a lot of points in games after a European game. Het Laatste Nieuws flew out that purple-white left fifteen points in eleven league matches. Something it cannot afford on Sunday.

The newspaper therefore expects Vertonghen to be rested Thursday to allow his injury to recover. Winter transfers Islam Slimani and Anders Dreyer might also get rest, the newspaper writes. The duo also showed signs of fatigue Sunday against Gent.