Preview:Mechelen vs. Westerlo - prediction, team news, lineups

Fifth-placed Mechelen are set to host first-placed Westerlo at AFAS Stadion in Belgium's Pro League on Saturday in each side's second league game of the 2023-24 season.

The home side finished eighth in the regular season last term with 45 points, while the visitors finished 11th with 30 points before the two teams finished second and fifth in the Europa Conference League playoff group respectively.

Match preview

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The hosts began their league season with an impressive 1-1 draw against champions Club Brugge on July 26 thanks to Patrick Pflucke's equaliser in the 65th minute.

Mechelen only had five shots and two on target in comparison to Club Brugge's 27 shots and seven on target, but given the calibre of opponent, Malinois will be delighted with the result.

Last term, Mechelen's record at AFAS Stadion was quite strong, and they ended the league season with five wins from their last seven matches at home.

Their overall form was more mixed, as they won three, drew two and lost three of their last eight games.

Manager Besnik Hasi has been in charge of Malinois since November 2023, and has an overall record of 15 wins, five draws and eight losses.

In the regular season, Hasi's side scored 39 goals and conceded 34 times in 30 matches, and this made them the division's ninth-best offensive and joint sixth-best defensive team.

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Opponents Westerlo began their top-flight campaign with a solid 3-0 win against Cercle Brugge on July 28.

In that game, De Kemphanen had 63% possession and 10 shots, six of which were on target.

While they did concede 12 shots and four efforts on goal, Cercle Brugge's attempts were generally much less threatening than Westerlo's, who generated more than double their opponents' xG.

Last week's match was Timmy Simons's first league game as boss in what is his third managerial role.

De Kemphanen won their final two away league matches last season, but prior to this they lost five straight matches on the road and failed to win any of the previous four.

Westerlo scored 42 goals and conceded 54 times in the regular season, and these were the division's eighth-best offensive and 13th best defensive records respectively.

Team News

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The hosts will once again be without Bill Antonio, who has not played since March 2 due to a knee injury.

Elsewhere, Mechelen summer-signing Jules Van Cleemput has been suffering from knee pain, while Aziz Ouattara has not played any football since June 29 due to an adductor tear.

There are also fitness concerns regarding defender Zinho Vanheusden, and he is a doubt for the weekend's clash.

As for the visitors, winger Griffin Yow is with the United States' Olympic football team, and will be absent on Saturday.

Jordan Bos was also taken off last time out because of an injury, and he could be replaced by left-back Tuur Rommens.

Westerlo striker Lucas Stassin scored twice in his side's opening game against Cercle Brugge and is certain to start.

Mechelen possible starting lineup: De Wolf; Walsh, Eynden, Marsa; Pflucke, Konate, Schoofs, Foulon; Hairemans, Lauberdach, Mrabti

Westerlo possible starting lineup: Bolat; Reynolds, Vuskovic, Neustadter, Rommens; Haspolat, Piedfort; Mebude, Madsen, Sayyadmanesh; Stassin

We say: Mechelen 2-1 Westerlo

Mechelen's good home record should see them come into Saturday's clash as favourites, especially as Westerlo have experienced difficulties on the road in the past.

However, Westerlo's 3-0 win last time out will give them confidence that they can at least trouble their hosts in the final third.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.