KAA Gent
- Gent have won one of their last five games, drawing three and losing one.
- The hosts come into this game in mixed form, but they've been stubborn in defeat of late, winning just one of their last five, but drawing three.
- Gent have been rock solid at home this season, winning two and drawing one of their three games here in all competitions.
- Gent have scored ten goals in their last three at their own ground, while Mechelen have scored just six in their six away trips in all competitions (W2, D1, L3).
Mechelen
- Mechelen have lost their last two, winning just two of their last five.
- Their most recent three games have seen a 1-0 away win at KSK Heist, back-to-back defeats to ADO Den Haag at home and Willem II Tilburg away.
Recent meetings
Head-to-head, Mechelen have won the last meeting, drawing one.
Betting Insights
- KAA Gent enter Sunday's season opener as the slight favorites at 1.95, against a Mechelen side priced at 3.65 with the draw at 3.45.
- The draw and both sides scoring - yes, are the top two selections for this clash, but both come in at a low price of 3.45 and 1.67 respectively, the latter still has a shot.
Prediction
- This looks a lot like a very close match between two evenly-matched sides that could easily be reversed on another day.
- This will be a classic contrast of styles in that Gent want the ball and want to dominate territory, but Mechelen will do their best to keep it ugly and nick it on the break.
- Gent can exploit space on the flanks with their 3-at-the-back and wing-back overloads, which should give them the edge if they can pin Mechelen back and stretch the block.
