KV Mechelen
- KV Mechelen’s recent league form reads: W1, D3, L1 across the last five rounds.
- Frederik Vanderbiest took over at the helm of KV Mechelen in March 2025 and has since implemented a rather unique system, which typically operates with a three-man backline and wing-backs.
- The goal is to control the game and exploit wide overloads before launching vertical attacks, and is a strategy that has proven tough to beat.
- They have drawn their last two consecutive games, a 2-2 draw away to Oud-Heverlee Leuven, and a 1-1 stalemate at home to KVC Westerlo.
- KV Mechelen sit 7th in the table with 33 points from 23 games.
Royal Antwerp FC
- Royal Antwerp FC have registered the same form across their last five league matches (W2, D1, L2).
- Visitors Royal Antwerp FC occupy 9th with 30 points from the same number of matches.
- Joseph Oosting took over at Royal Antwerp in December 2025 and has instilled a high-intensity pressing style and quick transition play that prioritises directness and speed.
Head-to-Head
The recent head-to-head between these two teams in First Division A 2025/2026 reads one win and one draw in Antwerp’s favour, a 2-1 success for Royal Antwerp at their home ground five months ago.
Key Players
- Lion Lauberbach is the focal point and main scoring threat for KV Mechelen, the tall forward has scored 6 First Division A 2025/2026 goals in 22 appearances, and his movement and finishing ability is required to convert the wing-back system into goals.
- Vincent Janssen is Royal Antwerp’s top scorer with 7 goals in 21 league matches, while he has also hit a rich vein of form lately, scoring three of their last eight First Division A 2025/2026 goals.
Betting Insights
- Given the almost identical odds of 2.55 for both sides in this clash, along with the lack of any clear gap in quality, this match could go either way, and with both sides in the playoff hunt, it’s set to be a competitive encounter.
- KV Mechelen have won three, drawn six and lost two of their 11 home league games this season, a record that has seen them average just 1.09 goals per home game.
