Anderlecht vs Mechelen Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Anderlecht vs Mechelen on and what time does it start? Anderlecht vs Mechelen will take place on Saturday 7th October, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Anderlecht vs Mechelen? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Anderlecht vs Mechelen in the UK? Anderlecht vs Mechelen will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
ANDERLECHT
Last season, Anderlecht reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League but they remained poor in the Jupiler Pro League, finishing in the bottom-half of the table. Performances improved slightly with former Brentford assistant coach Brian Riemer but the Brussels club will need a major improvement this season as they seek to return to the top-table of Belgian football.
They have started the season well with just one defeat in their opening nine matches of the campaign and that came on the opening day of the season against defending champions Royal Antwerp. Their most recent outing was an impressive 3-1 defeat of Eupen last weekend, leading that game from inside the first minute.
MECHELEN
Mid-way through last season, Mechelen appointed former Burnley and Belgium international midfielder Steven Defour as their new boss in his first managerial role. They finished in mid-table and went into this season simply seeking to replicate that and ensure they don’t get dragged down into the bottom four and the end of season relegation round playoffs.
They have started the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League with three victories, two draws and four defeats so far this season. That steady start has taken a bump, though, in the last couple of weeks. They suffered back-to-back defeats against Sint-Truiden and Oud-Heverlee Leuven before a goalless draw with defending champions Royal Antwerp last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
ANDERLECHT
Anderlecht are missing several key first-team players due to injury with Danish duo Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg on an injury list that includes Yari Verschaeren.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Patris, Debast, Vertonghen, Augustinusson; Rits, Diawara, Leoni; Dreyer, Vazquez, Hazard
UNAVAILABLE: Amuzu (Injured), N’Diaye (Injured), Raman (Injured), Dolberg (Injured), Delaney (Injured), Verschaeren (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ashimeru (Injured)
MECHELEN
Steven Defour has a few injury concerns with Boli Bolingoli and Jannes Van Hof remaining doubts for this weekend, whilst Rafik Bekghali and Rayyane Fachou are out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Coucke; Walsh, Vanlerberghe, Cobbaut, Foulon; Pflucke, Konate, Mrabti, Storm; Schoofs, Lauberbach
UNAVAILABLE: Belghali (Injured), Falchou (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Van Hof (Injured), Bolingoli (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
The injury issues that Anderlecht have means they are just limping through to the October international break so that they can then regroup and reassess. Despite their impressive form so far this season, they have been generally reliant on organised defensive work with just 13 goals scored and nine conceded. Mechelen had started well but they have since dipped and will likely be a little concerned about their trip to Brussels. The hosts are favourites but it may not be a thriller for the neutral.
TIP: ANDERLECHT TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
