Mechelen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Preview & Prediction
When is Mechelen vs Union Saint-Gilloise on and what time does it start? Mechelen vs Union Saint-Gilloise will take place on Saturday 19August, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Mechelen vs Union Saint-Gilloise? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Mechelen vs Union Saint-Gilloise in the UK? Mechelen vs Union Saint-Gilloise will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
MECHELEN
Mechelen come into this on the back of a 1-0 defeat away to newly-promoted Racing Daring White Molenbeek, who did start with a 4-0 hammering at the hands before Genk before back-to-back victories, including their defeat of Mechelen. The home team, under the management of former Burnley midfielder Steven Defour, have collected just one point from their opening three Jupiler Pro League matches.
The hosts, due to the reduction of teams from 18 to 16 in Belgium’s top-flight, are one of a number of teams who finished in mid-table last season but will be concerned about falling into the relegation battle this time around. They began with a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge but have since suffered successive 1-0 losses against the aforementioned RWDM and Gent.
UNION SAINT-GILLOISE
In recent seasons, due to their affiliation with Brighton and Hove Albion, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise have been able to challenge for the Belgian title then lose key players but still remain extremely strong towards the top-of-the-table. After another title race and reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season, it seems like it is set up to be yet another impressive season for Union SG.
The visitors, under the management of Alexander Blessin, have started the campaign with three successive victories. They began the season with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to their city rivals Anderlecht, thrashed Oud-Heverlee Leuven by five goals to one, and then defeated Standard Liege by a goal to nil in Liege. So they have enjoyed clean sheet victories against two of the so-called ‘big three’, sandwiching an annihilation of OH Leuven.
THE PREDICTED LINE-UPS
MECHELEN
Steven Defour’s Mechelen have played a 4-2-3-1 system throughout the 2023/24 campaign and, despite beginning without a win in their opening three matches, they will likely remain unchanged for this fourth match because the only real issue in their eleven would be Boli Bolingoli’s injury suffered on the opening day of the season.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Coucke; Belghali, Bates, Vanlerberghe, Foulon; Mukau, Schoofs; Mrabti, Hairemans, Storm; Lauberbach
UNAVAILABLE: Bolingoli (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
UNION SAINT-GILLOISE
Alexander Blessin is blessed with a fully fit and available squad with their back three system working perfectly so far so Union SG are expected to keep it nice and simple and go to Mechelen with an unchanged side this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Moris; Mac Allister, Burgess, Machida; Terho, Amani, Vanhoutte, Lapoussin; Rasmussen, Puertas; Eckert
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Whilst Mechelen will feel they could be defensively resolute this weekend, especially having only conceded one goal to a high-scoring Genk side a couple of weeks ago, his is a really tough test against extremely strong opposition. Royale Union Saint-Gilloise have been nearing the Belgian summit for a couple of seasons now and with the start that they have made they will feel that this could be the time they finally get there. A fairly comfortable away win is expected on Saturday evening.
