Winner takes all: Drama expected as three teams race for promotion to the Belgian Pro League on Friday night | OneFootball

On Friday evening, the final slate of games in the Challenger Pro League will all kick off at the same time. Three teams remain in contention for promotion to the Belgian Pro League, and in the most dramatic fashion two of these sides will face each other in a winner takes all clash.

In many ways, both Zulte Waregem and RWDM only have themselves to blame for the situation they now find themselves in. The sides had the chance to secure promotion last weekend, but both bottled the chance by losing. They now face each other on Friday evening, with Zulte Waregem the home side. If RWDM can secure a draw, they will be promoted. Zulte can still be promoted with a draw, but a win will guarantee they make a return to the top flight of Belgian football. RWDM were victorious by a score line of 2-1 the last time the sides met, back in November.

Should either side falter, RAAL La Louviere will be hoping to take advantage. To many outsiders, the rise of RAAL has been surprising this season, yet after closer inspection it is clearly something that the club has been planning for some time. The ownership are putting the infrastructure in place to turn the side, who only a few seasons ago were in the third tier, into a top tier side. A new stadium is on the way, and it may well be hosting Pro League football next season.

RAAL travel to a Lommel side with nothing to play for. However, that was the case last weekend when they stopped RWDM for going up. Should RWDM win, RAAL need only draw with Lommel to win promotion. However, that is unlikely to be something the club will focus on going into the game. A win should see them promoted, as regardless of the result elsewhere they would end up with more points than one of Zulte or RWDM. Remarkably, the side could still win the league outright. If the other game ends in a draw, a win for RAAL would see them finish above both sides.

The side that misses out will then join the three other teams in the play-offs. SK Beveren and Patro Eisden are sure of their spot in the post season. The final spot will be between SC Lokeren-Temse and Lierse. Lokeren have the advantage, having beaten Zulte Waregem last weekend, with a point separating them from Lierse. Lokeren will face a trip to lowly RFC Seraing, while Lierse face a side even lower than Seraing in bottom of the table Genk U23.

The stage is set for a dramatic final day, with plenty of excitement when all the games kick off at 8pm Belgian time.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson