Westerlo vs Mechelen Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Westerlo vs Mechelen on and what time does it start? Westerlo vs Mechelen will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Westerlo vs Mechelen? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Westerlo vs Mechelen in the UK? Westerlo vs Mechelen will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
WESTERLO
After gaining promotion back to the top-flight in 2022, Westerlo enjoyed an impressive return to Jupiler Pro League football by finishing in the top eight and the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff places. They, under the management of Jonas De Roeck, came into this season hoping to build upon an impressive and exciting season whereby their 34 regular season matches consisted of 114 goals.
They began the 2023/24 campaign with a 2-2 draw away to Eupen in late-July and given that Eupen are a side expected to battle against the drop throughout the campaign, that could have set alarm bells ringing. They have since suffered three successive defeats, albeit all three losses have come against strong opposition in Club Brugge, Gent and Anderlecht.
MECHELEN
Steven Defour’s first half a season in charge of Mechelen saw De Kakkers finish in mid-table, eventually, but they did flirt with the relegation battle and, with the league being reduced from 18 to 16 teams over the summer and only one side gaining promotion to the top-flight, they will be concerned that they will be among those that are right down towards the bottom end of the table once again.
They have started the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League campaign with some strange form, having collected just a point from their opening three matches, including a loss against newly-promoted RWDM. However, they hammered the then league leaders Royale Union Saint-Gilloise by four goals to nil last weekend with three late strikes sealing a famous victory.
THE TEAM NEWS
WESTERLO
Jonas De Roeck is without several players for this weekend. At least four of his side are doubts for this match without Griffin Yow due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Gillekens; Reynolds, Neustadter, Perdichizzi, Tagir; Mebude, Madsen, Fixelles, Van den Keybus; Frigan, Stassin
UNAVAILABLE: Yow (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bernat (Injured), Vaesen (Injured), Van Eenoo (Injured), El Hari (Injured)
MECHELEN
Mechelen will likely name an unchanged side from their demolition of Union SG last weekend. They only have one injury concern and that remains Boli Bolingoli, who suffered a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Coucke; Walsh, Vanlerberghe, Bates, Foulon; Mukau, Schoofs; Hairemans, Mrabti, Storm; Lauberbach
UNAVAILABLE: Bolingoli (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
As mentioned, Westerlo were arguably the most entertaining side in Belgium’s top-flight last season and they should remain a good team to watch, despite their underwhelming run of three successive losses, which can be mitigated against with the teams they have played. At home, they will expect to get at a Mechelen side that will be riding a wave right now after their shock hammering of Union SG. This one could be a classic Westerlo game in which both sides have attacking joy and both teams scoring, therefore, looks a good bet for this.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
