Krijgt Anderlecht een reunion met Nathan De Cat en STVV met Wouter Vrancken in Europa en Conference loting?

Belgische clubs brace for Friday’s draws as Anderlecht eye a possible reunion with Nathan De Cat and STVV wonder whether they will meet former coach Wouter Vrancken, while the Europa League‑ and Conference League‑pots are revealed, showing who could face whom.

Europa League draw pots

Five Belgian clubs are guaranteed European football after Club Brugge learned its Champions League‑opponents on Thursday. Union, Anderlecht, STVV and AA Gent will join the Europa League draw on Friday afternoon, while Union and Anderlecht sit in pot 2.

Pot 1 features heavyweights Leverkusen, Benfica, Juventus, AC Milan and Lyon. Pot 2 contains Union, Anderlecht, Celtic and Salzburg, meaning the two Belgian sides cannot meet each other in the group stage.

Pot 3 offers clubs such as Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, alongside Celje and Jagiellonia Bialystok. Pot 4 holds Hoffenheim, Besiktas, Torreense and several others, opening the door for a reunion.

Anderlecht’s potential reunion

Anderlecht survived three qualifying rounds to reach the League Phase of the Europa League and will be drawn from pot 2. Hoffenheim sits in pot 4, where Nathan De Cat currently plays, giving Anderlecht a chance to face him again.

The club also recorded a win over Kairat Almaty, showing its competitive edge. Should the draw pair Anderlecht with Hoffenheim, De Cat could line up against his former side.

Conference League prospects for STVV

STVV is placed in the fourth pot of the Conference League draw, while Wouter Vrancken now coaches Hearts in Scotland, a potential opponent for the Belgian side.

AA Gent lands in pot 2, with pot 1 offering clubs like Atalanta, Ajax and Monaco. Other attractive names across the pots include Brighton, FC Twente and Trabzonspor.

Matches in the Conference League run from October to December, with each team playing three home and three away games.

All clubs await the Friday afternoon ceremony, hoping the pots deliver favourable fixtures as the European campaigns commence.