Preview: Charleroi vs Sint-Truiden - prediction, team news, lineups

In Charleroi's second Belgian Pro League game of 2025-26, they will host Sint-Truiden on Sunday at Stade du Pays de Charleroi.

The home side drew 2-2 with OH Leuven on July 27 and ended the first matchweek in fifth place, three places below Sint-Truiden, who emerged as 3-1 victors against Gent last Sunday.

Match preview

Charleroi were fortunate to have taken a point last time out in the top flight given they trailed from the third minute against Leuven and conceded their second in the 79th minute, but goals in the 90th and 94th minutes secured Rik De Mil's side a draw.

Both of the hosts' goals came from corners, with the team failing to convert the two big chances they created in that stalemate, and finishing was an issue last term given they scored just 57 league goals despite generating 70.4 xG.

Les Carolos finished 10th in the regular season in 2024-25, but while they topped their Conference League playoff group, they were eliminated in the second qualifying round of the competition by Swedish side Hammarby IF in late July.

De Mil's side are winless in their first three matches of 2025-26 - drawing two, scoring three and conceding four - but they did win five of their final six league fixtures of 2024-25.

Charleroi's return of 37 points at home last season was the fourth-best record of the 16 teams in the division, and they have triumphed in their past five competitive games at Stade du Pays de Charleroi.

Sint-Truiden were excellent from a defensive perspective against Gent, preventing their opponents from attempting a shot inside their penalty area in the first half, while also only facing one big chance.

The visitors' performance at the back contrasted with their displays last campaign given they conceded 56 times in the regular season, the third-worst tally in the league.

Boss Wouter Vrancken's team lost both encounters against their hosts in 2024-25, going down 2-1 in December 2024 and 4-1 in August that year.

De Kanaries won six of the seven friendlies that preceded their win against Gent, but they did lose three and draw one of their final seven league matches in 2024-25.

Sint-Truiden failed to achieve victory in six of their seven most recent league fixtures on the road, with the club being beaten four times in that period.

Charleroi Belgian Pro League form:

Charleroi form (all competitions):

Sint-Truiden Belgian Pro League form:

Team News

Should Charleroi use the same 4-2-3-1 system they set up in against Leuven, Aiham Ousou and Cheick Keita can be pencilled in on Sunday as centre-backs.

Amine Boukamir and Etienne Camara are candidates to play in a double pivot behind number 10 Yassine Titraoui.

In the forward line, expect wingers Isaac Mbenza and Parfait Guiagon to support striker Nikola Stulic.

Sint-Truiden centre-forward Isaias Delpupo is injured, making Andres Ferrari the most likely option to start up front.

Midfielders Rihito Yamamoto and Abdoulaye Sissako may be asked to protect central defenders Visar Musliu and Rein Van Helden.

Charleroi possible starting lineup:

Delavallee; Rogelj, Ousou, Keita, Dragsnes; Boukamir, Camara; Mbenza, Titraoui, Guiagon; Stulic

Sint-Truiden possible starting lineup:

Kokubo; Patris, Van Helden, Musliu, Hata; Yamamoto, Sissako; Vanwesemael, Ito, Sebaoui; Ferrari