Eupen vs OH Leuven Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Eupen vs OH Leuven on and what time does it start? Eupen vs OH Leuven will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 17:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Eupen vs OH Leuven? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Eupen vs OH Leuven in the UK? Eupen vs OH Leuven will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
EUPEN
Eupen are one of the major contenders for relegation from the Jupiler Pro League this season, having narrowly escaped finishing in the bottom three last year. Given that there was only one new team promoted over the summer and the league was reduced from 18 to 16 teams, the likelihood of Eupen finishing in the bottom four and the relegation playoff places has increased this season.
Under the management of former Wolfsburg boss Florian Kohfeldt, who was appointed over the summer, Eupen have actually put in an impressive start to the season. They began with a creditable 2-2 draw with Westerlo and have since enjoyed victories against both Genk and Kortrijk with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Club Brugge in the middle of those two wins.
OH LEUVEN
With the King Power ownership group struggling to pump money into Leicester City over recent seasons, Oud-Heverlee Leuven have also been hit with difficulties and begun to tread water in mid-table. Given the reduction of the league from 18 to 16 teams, they will be concerned that they could well be among those down at the bottom end of the table once again.
They come into this on the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Royal Antwerp in their most recent outing, last weekend. OH Leuven began the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Charleroi but lost to newly-promoted RWDM and likely title challengers Union SG in between those draws, meaning they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures on just two points from a possible 12 so far.
THE TEAM NEWS
EUPEN
Eupen will be without duo Kevin Mohwald and on-loan Bartosz Bialek due to injury and they will be without Nathan Bitumazala, who is a doubt for this weekend’s encounter, too.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Slonina; Magnee, Paeshuyse, Palsson, Davidson, Van Genechten; Baiye, Lambert, Keita; Nuhu, Finnbogason
UNAVAILABLE: Bialek (Injured), Mohwald (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bitumazala (Injured)
OH LEUVEN
Oud-Heverlee Leuven are without left-back Hamza Mendyl who is suspended for this weekend, after he was sent off late last week, and they are also likely to be without on-loan defender Alexandro Calut due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Prevot; Sagrado, Pletinckx, Ricca, Schingtienne; Dom, Schrijvers, Banzuzi; Porsteinsson, Opoku, Vlietinck
UNAVAILABLE: Mendyl (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Calut (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Both of these sides were expected to struggle this season, especially with the aforementioned reduction in teams, but the home team gave made an excellent start to the campaign. Florian Kohfeldt’s men have still conceded eight goals in their opening four matches so that will be a concern. Leuven, though, are unlikely to be the side to exploit those defensive weaknesses, given the fact that they have scored just four so far. A double chance bet in favour of Eupen, especially with their home advantage, looks the way to go for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – EUPEN TO WIN OR DRAW
