Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge Betting Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge on and what time does it start? Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge will take place on Saturday 28th October, 2023 – 15:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge in the UK? Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
MECHELEN
Mid-way through last season, Mechelen appointed former Burnley and Belgium international midfielder, Steven Defour, as their new manager. The home team drifted towards the bottom part of the table last season and Defour is under a little pressure with the hosts beginning this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom four and the end of season relegation round playoff places.
They come into this on the back of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Genk in their most recent outing, last weekend, following the international break. They have managed just three victories in 13 matches so far this season and only one team has scored fewer goals than them this year, which is fellow strugglers, Kortrijk.
CERCLE BRUGGE
Cercle Brugge managed an impressive top eight finish last season and managed to qualify for the end of season UEFA Europa League playoff places. They, under the management of Miron Muslic, ‘Groen en Zwart’ are hoping to go a couple of steps further and really challenge at the top end of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League table.
The visitors come into this on the back of a comfortable and impressive 2-0 win at home to a Gent side that had been unbeaten up until that stage. That made it back-to-back victories after a slow and unimpressive start to the 2023/24 campaign. They have, though, managed to score just 14 goals in their 11 games so far this season.
THE TEAM NEWS
MECHELEN
Steven Defour has a few injury concerns with the likes of Rafik Belghali, Jannes Van Hof and Rayyane Falchou all potentially unavailable for this weekend’s encounter.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Coucke; Walsh, Vanlerberghe, Cobbaut, Foulon; Hairemans, Mrabti, Mukau, Storm; Lauberbach, Schoofs
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Belghali (Injured), Van Hof (Injured), Falchou (Injured)
CERCLE BRUGGE
There remains just one issue for Cercle Brugge and that is the long-term absentee of Abu Francis, who has been missing due to a meniscus injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Warleson; Siquet, Popovic, Daland, Ravych; Lopes, Van der Bruggen; Somers, Lemarechal, Gboho; Denkey
UNAVAILABLE: Francis (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
The home team come into this on the back of a real struggle throughout the campaign and the pressure is growing on them and Defour. They face a Cercle Brugge side that are buoyant as they push towards the top end of the table. Despite being buoyant, they are inconsistent with six victories and five defeats in their 11 matches. A double chance bet in favour of the away team remains the way to go for this one, though, because it seems unlikely that Mechelen will get the better of them.
BETTING TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – CERCLE BRUGGE TO WIN OR DRAW
