Anderlecht vs Westerlo Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Anderlecht vs Westerlo on and what time does it start? Anderlecht vs Westerlo will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 12:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Anderlecht vs Westerlo? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Anderlecht vs Westerlo in the UK? Anderlecht vs Westerlo will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
ANDERLECHT
After a few seasons of significant underperformance, Anderlecht continued that last season by finishing in mid-table in the Jupiler Pro League, despite reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Brussels club, under the management of former Brentford assistant coach Brian Riemer, will be expecting to finish inside the top eight at the very least this season.
They began the 2023/24 campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to capital city rivals Royale Union Saint-Gilloise a couple of weeks ago. They followed that up, though, with a surprise 1-0 defeat of reigning champions Royal Antwerp with a winning goal scored by new signing Kasper Dolberg. After that victory, they then managed to edge past Sint-Truiden away from home, despite being down to ten men for over half an hour of that match.
WESTERLO
Westerlo were promoted to the Belgian top-flight in 2022 and they performed very well in 2023. The visitors managed to finish inside the top eight and the European playoff places and they did so by playing an entertaining and attacking style of football, despite selling star striker Lyle Foster to Burnley in the January transfer window. In their 34 regular season matches, there was a combined total of 114 goals.
The visitors started this season with another example of entertaining football as they shared a 2-2 draw with Eupen, who are expected to struggle this season, a few weeks ago. Since then they have endured back-to-back defeats, firstly losing 1-0 to Club Brugge and then being comfortably beaten by three goals to one at home to Gent last weekend.
THE PREDICTED LINE-UPS
ANDERLECHT
As mentioned, Anderlecht held on to collect all three points against STVV last weekend, despite going down to ten men for over half an hour. Anders Dreyer, who received the red card in that match, will be suspended for this weekend’s encounter with Westerlo.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Dupe; Patris, Sardella, Vertonghen, N’Diaye; Leoni, Diawara, Stroeykens; Raman, Dolberg, Amuzu
UNAVAILABLE: Dreyer (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
WESTERLO
Jonas De Roeck plays an aggressive and ‘plan a’ focused style of football so, despite a slow start to the season, this is likely to be an unchanged side in Brussels as there are no fresh injuries or suspensions.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Bolat; Reynolds, Neustadter, Perdichizzi, Bos; Jordanov, Fixelles, Madsen, Van den Keybus; Frigan, Matsuo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
After a disappointing campaign last year, Anderlecht will be very pleased with the start to this season with two victories in their opening three matches. Even the game they comfortably lost to Union SG looks better in retrospect with Union SG going on to win their next two after that. Westerlo will be concerned about the league being reduced from 18 to 16 teams as any dip in form will see them dragged into a competitive and congested relegation battle. An Anderlecht victory, especially in Brussels, seems most likely for this one.
TIP: ANDERLECHT TO WIN
