Standard Liege vs Mechelen Betting Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Standard Liege vs Mechelen on and what time does it start? Standard Liege vs Mechelen will take place on Sunday 5th November, 2023 – 15:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Standard Liege vs Mechelen? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Standard Liege vs Mechelen in the UK? Standard Liege vs Mechelen will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
STANDARD LIEGE
As one of ‘The Big Three’ in Belgian football, Standard Liege have consistently underperformed of late, often drifting down into the bottom-half of the table and genuinely struggling against relegation. Standard Liege, though, had an excellent end to the summer transfer window and have significantly improved as a result of that.
The home team come into this on the back of an end in their impressive run of form, though, as they were beaten 3-1 by Gent in their most recent Jupiler Pro League outing, last weekend. They have since recovered to dispatch of KRC Harelbeke by five goals to nil. Their defeat to Gent is their only loss in their last ten matches across all competitions.
MECHELEN
Mid-way through last season, Mechelen appointed former Burnley and Belgium international central midfielder, Steven Defour, as their new manager. They were one of the teams who finished in the middle-of-the-table last season that would have been naturally worried by the reduction in the league from 18 to 16 teams over the summer.
They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom four and the end of season relegation round playoff places. Mechelen come into this one on the back of a 2-0 loss at home to Cercle Brugge, which was followed a penalty shootout defeat to Knokke in midweek. They are winless in their last seven matches.
THE TEAM NEWS
STANDARD LIEGE
Carl Hoefkens is blessed with more or less a fully fit and available squad so will be able to name his best possible eleven for the visit of Mechelen.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Bodart; Vanheusden, Bope, Ngoy; Fossey, Kawabe, Hayden, Alzate, Djenepo; Sowah, Kanga
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Hautekiet (Injured)
MECHELEN
There are a few injury issues for Mechelen this weekend as Steven Defour desperately searches for an end to their poor run of results.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Coucke; Vanlerberghe, Bates, Cobbaut, Foulon; Raemaekers, Van Hecke; Hairemans, Mrabti, Malede; Lauberbach
UNAVAILABLE: Walsh (Injured), Malede (Injured), Schoofs (Injured), Storm (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bates (Injured), Belghali (Injured), Van Hof (Injured), Falchou (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Their opening 12 matches of four victories, four draws and four defeats would suggest that Standard are continuing to underperform and stagnate. However, under the management of Carl Hoefkens, they have been much-improved and look as though they could genuinely challenge towards the top six. They face a Mechelen side that are badly struggling and were always expected to be in a relegation battle to Standard, especially with their home advantage, looks the way to go for this one.
BETTING TIP: STANDARD LIEGE TO WIN
