Antwerp Anchors vs Ghent Gladiators, EB, Today Match Prediction

ANAN vs GHGL Match Prediction & Analysis

The action in the EUT20 Belgium 2026 continues as the Antwerp Anchors prepare to lock horns with the Ghent Gladiators in Match 16 at Zemst. Antwerp Anchors have enjoyed a highly successful campaign so far, sitting comfortably in second place on the points table with 7 points, having secured three victories from their five matches. In contrast, the Ghent Gladiators have endured a very stop-start tournament due to weather-related disruptions, placing them in third position with 6 points after managing one win, one loss, and four no-results.

This fixture holds immense weight for Ghent as they look to climb up from the mid-table clutter and close the gap on the top teams. Antwerp will want to maintain their ruthless momentum after a dominant 39-run victory against Akcel United Brussels in their last outing. With the race for the knockout spots tightening, both teams need a decisive win to strengthen their qualification bids for the final.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

ANAN

W W W L

AUB

182/8 in 20.0 9.1

EB

Antwerp Anchors beat Akcel United Brussels by 39 runs 11 Jun 2026

ANAN

221/6 in 20.0 11.05

ANAN

178/9 in 20.0 8.9

EB

Antwerp Anchors beat Liege Red Lions by 46 runs 10 Jun 2026

LRL

132/10 in 17.5 7.4

JBBR

105/9 in 14.0 7.5

EB

Antwerp Anchors beat JB Bruges by 5 wickets (D/L) method 09 Jun 2026

ANAN

112/5 in 12.3 8.96

ANAN

174/9 in 20.0 8.7

EB

Akcel United Brussels beat Antwerp Anchors by 4 wickets 07 Jun 2026

AUB

178/6 in 19.0 9.37

GHGL

L

JBBR

166/6 in 20.0 8.3

EB

JB Bruges won by Tie Breaker 07 Jun 2026

GHGL

166/6 in 20.0 8.3

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Antwerp Anchors Preview

The rebuilding of the Anchors' top order has been the story of their late-season surge. Martin Guptill has finally delivered on his reputation. The former New Zealand opener now has 176 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 160, his 114 against Brussels an innings of breathtaking power. He struck nine fours and eight sixes, clearing the boundary at will and setting a platform that his teammates exploited ruthlessly.

Moeen Ali has been the perfect foil. The England all-rounder has 103 runs in four innings at an average of 51.50, his unbeaten 72 against JB Bruges turning a losing position into a five-wicket victory. He also leads the spin attack with five wickets at an economy of 7.80, his off-spin providing control through the middle overs. 

Jonathan Smit has emerged as the most dangerous finisher in the tournament. He has scored 82 runs across five innings while being dismissed only three times, striking at exactly 200. 

The bowling attack has depth and variety. Wiese (8 wickets at 11.00), Smit (7 at 16.71), Mark Watt (6 at 23.00), Moeen Ali (5 at 15.60), Ruben Trumpelmann (5 at 19.40), and Tristan Luus (5 at 20.40) have all taken five or more wickets. No other team in the tournament can boast that kind of spread.

Antwerp Anchors Predicted Playing XI:

Max Chu (WK), Martin Guptill (C), David Wiese, Moeen Ali, Wihan Lubbe, Mark Watt, Hardus Viljoen, Tristan Luus, Abduljabar Jabarkhail, Lokesh Bam, Jonathan Smit

Antwerp Anchors Actual Playing XI:

Lucky Ali, Peter Hatzoglou, Tom Moores, Ruben Trumpelmann, Martin Guptill, Max Chu, Lokesh Bam, Wihan Lubbe, Hardus Viljoen, Tristan Luus, Jabar Jabarkhel

Ghent Gladiators Preview

The Gladiators base their entire tactical strategy around an incredibly explosive top order. Josh Brown has been the absolute standout performer of the competition, scoring 178 runs with a massive 18 sixes to his name. Wicketkeeper Sam Harper provides rapid momentum from the other end, hitting 108 runs with a 154.29 strike rate, while George Munsey sits on an average of 77.00 after a brilliant half-century. Temba Bavuma and Ben Manenti fill out the middle order, though the team needs a much bigger impact from experienced campaigner Richie Berrington to anchor the innings if the openers fall early.

Defensively, the Gladiators have not had many full opportunities to showcase their skills due to regular rain interruptions. Slow left-armer Bernard Scholtz and veteran JJ Smuts provide great discipline in the middle overs, both operating with economy rates at or below 6.00. Fast bowler Ali Khan brings raw pace to the powerplay, while Dwaine Pretorius relies on his slower balls to deceive hitters, though the entire group will need to be extremely sharp to restrict a deep Antwerp batting lineup.

Ghent Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Sam Harper (WK), George Munsey, Josh Brown, Temba Bavuma (C), JJ Smuts, Ben Manenti, Dwaine Pretorius, Hadisullah Tarakhel, Bernard Scholtz, Ali Khan, Ali Hasan

Ghent Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Temba Bavuma, Dwaine Pretorius, Josh Brown, Sam Harper, Benjamin Manenti, Hadisullah Tarakhel, JJ Smuts, Bernard Scholtz, Ali Khan, Hasan Ali, George Munsey

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast predicts cloudy conditions throughout the day with temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius. Humidity will remain around 65%, and there is a lingering 30% chance of showers that could lead to another shortened game.

ANAN vs GHGL Pitch Report

Stars Arena has emerged as one of the better batting venues in the EUT20 Belgium 2026, especially when full 20-over matches are completed. Looking at the last five first-innings totals at the venue - 207, 105, 178, 221, and 91 - the average works out to 160.4 runs. However, that figure is dragged down by two rain-shortened matches. If we focus only on completed 20-over innings, teams have posted 166, 174, 207, 178, and 221, giving a much healthier average of 189.2 runs.

The trend over the past few days suggests batting conditions have improved considerably. Antwerp Anchors posted 178/9 against Liege Red Lions before going one better with 221/6 against Akcel United Brussels, while Ghent Gladiators also piled up 207/5 in a match that was eventually washed out. Those numbers indicate that anything below 180 could be vulnerable if the weather stays clear.

Toss: To Bowl

Winning captains will not hesitate to bowl first after winning the coin flip. The presence of overcast conditions and the clear advantage of knowing the exact target on a fast outfield make chasing the universal choice for team strategists at this venue.