Looking to maintain their respectable standing in the Europa Conference League group, Mechelen will make the journey to Het Kuipje to face Westerlo in the Belgian Pro League on Saturday evening.
De Kemphanen come into this clash following a four-goal thriller during their last fixture, whereas De Kakkers are aiming to bounce back after a narrow defeat on the road.
Match preview
Westerlo extended their winless run in the Belgian Pro League to a highly-concerning 11 matches on May 3, when De Kemphanen were forced to share the spoils with Sint-Truiden at Het Kuipje, although it could have been considerably better for the hosts on the evening.
Following Ryotaro Ito's opener for the visiting side in the eighth minute, Westerlo raced into a 2-1 lead courtesy of strikes from Lucas Stassin and Jordan Bos, but the hosts were unable to hold out for maximum points from the clash, with Adriano Bertaccini netting an equaliser for Truiden.
Having failed to win any of their seven matches in the ECL Group so far - collecting just three points in the painful process - De Kemphanen have slumped to the bottom of the section, meaning that they sit 12th in the overall Pro League standings heading into their final two matches of the term.
Following a modest return of two goals in 36 Pro League appearances last term, Danish attacker Nicolas Madsen has burst into life during the 2023-24 campaign for Westerlo, finding the net on 13 occasions in the division so far.
Since rounding off their hectic April schedule with an impressive 3-0 success over Leuven, Mechelen have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Pro League for the first time since the middle of October, ending their faint hopes of fighting for a place in next season's Conference League.
The latest defeat came at the hands of Sint-Truiden last weekend, when 23-year-old Bertaccini netted a brilliant brace to turn the contest on its head for the hosts following Mory Konate's opener for De Kakkers on the road.
Approaching their penultimate fixture of the Pro League campaign - and their last outing in the division this term - Besnik Hasi's troops are sitting eighth overall in the top-flight standings, nine points behind seventh-placed Gent who are set to compete for a place in the Conference League later this month.
Following his switch from English Championship outfit Birmingham City in the summer of 2020, Kerim Mrabti has become a staple in De Kakkers' attack over recent campaigns, netting 30 goals in 133 competitive appearances for the club as they continue to maintain their Pro League status.
Team News
Last featuring in a Westerlo squad during the 3-1 defeat at Mechelen in March, former Belgium international Nacer Chadli is continuing his recovery from a calf injury.
The hosts will also be unable to call upon the services of Galatasaray loanee Emin Bayram, who suffered a potentially season-ending injury in March.
Mechelen are set to be short of options on the right flank due to the absence of Bill Antonio, with the 21-year-old picking up a cruciate ligament injury in March.
There were high hopes for the progression of centre-back Toon Raemaekers this season, but the 23-year-old has not played since October due to a ligament injury.
Rafik Belghali provides a considerable option at right-back when fit, but the Algerian is currently fighting with a long-term hamstring issue.
Westerlo possible starting lineup:
Bolat; Reynolds, Tagir, Neustadter, Bos; Piedfort, Sydorchuk; Yow, Madsen, Alcocer; Stassin
Mechelen possible starting lineup:
Thoelen; Bolingoli-Mbombo, Garananga, Bates, Foulon; Makau, Konate, Pflucke, Schoofs, Mrabti; Slimani
We say: Westerlo 1-1 Mechelen
Considering Westerlo's struggles in recent months, we are not expecting a sensational performance from the hosts, but the two-week break would have helped freshen their troops up for Saturday's clash.
Mechelen's campaign is beginning to peter out significantly, but we feel that De Kakkers will be good enough for a share of the spoils at Het Kuipje.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
