Mechelen vs Eupen Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Mechelen vs Eupen on and what time does it start? Mechelen vs Eupen will take place on Saturday 2nd September, 2023 – 17:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Mechelen vs Eupen? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Mechelen vs Eupen in the UK? Mechelen vs Eupen will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
MECHELEN
Mid-way through last season, Steven Defour was appointed manager of Mechelen and the former Burnley midfielder led his side to a mid-table finish in the Jupiler Pro League. They haven’t really been able to strengthen that much over the summer and are one of a few sides expecting to struggle down towards the bottom end and bottom four of the league table.
They have started the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League campaign by collecting seven points from their opening five matches as they start steadily in the middle-of-the-table. The hosts come into this on the back of back-to-back victories. They surprisingly hammered Union SG by four goals to nil before a thrilling 3-2 win away at Westerlo in which they were 2-0 down with just 15 minutes of the game to go.
EUPEN
Like a few teams in Belgium’s top-flight, Eupen will be a mid-table side concerned that the reduction of the league from 18 to 16 sides over the summer will mean they will be dragged into a relegation battle over the course of the campaign. They have, though, under the management of former Wolfsburg boss Florian Kohfeldt, started the 2023/24 season in impressive fashion, over performing their pre-season expectation so far.
In their opening game of the campaign, they went away to Westerlo and shared an entertaining 2-2 draw. Since then, they have beaten Genk away from home and now come into this on the back of back-to-back victories against Kortrijk and Oud-Heverlee Leuven, reacting well to being hammered 5-0 by a rampant Club Brugge side a few weeks ago.
THE TEAM NEWS
MECHELEN
On the opening day of the season, Boli Bolingoli went off with a hamstring injury but he has resumed light training, albeit Steven Defour is unlikely to risk him for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Coucke; Walsh, Vanlerberghe, Bates, Foulon; Schoofs, Mukau; Hairemans, Mrabti, Storm; Lauberbach
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Bolingoli (Injured)
EUPEN
Florian Kohfeldt is without a few key players, most notably Kevin Mohwald, but will be hoping to name a similar eleven as to the one that played last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Slonina; Paeshuyse, Palsson, Davidson; Magnee, Baiye, Lambert, Keita, Van Genechten; Nuhu, Finnbogason
UNAVAILABLE: Bialek (Injured), Mohwald (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bitumazala (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
These are two sides expected to battle against relegation this season but they have both managed to overperform their early expectations and currently sit in pleasant positions in the table. They also come into this on the back of some good early goal scoring form with Mechelen managing to notch seven times in their last two matches, whilst Eupen playing a high-pressing style are causing the opposition to make a fair few mistakes. An entertaining encounter is expected for this one.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
