Anderlecht V Mechelen
Friday 9th August 2019 – 19:30 Kick-Off
Belgian First Division A (Jupiler Pro League)
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 61/100
Bookmaker: MarathonBet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77/100 | 27/10 | 13/4 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 7th August 2019 at 13:10)
Preview: Life under Vincent Kompany hasn’t quite gone to plan so far, with Anderlecht beginning the new league season in Belgium struggling to secure wins. The same cannot be said of their opponents, though, with Mechelen arriving in this fixture on the back of successive victories. The visiting side should be confident of causing their illustrious hosts problems inside the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels.
Belgium Football Betting with 22Bet
Anderlecht Preview – Kompany’s Purple and Whites to finally get off the mark?
The transfer of Vincent Kompany to his former club, to perform the role of both player and coach, was certainly one of the more peculiar moves. Excitement among the supporters was high though, and understandably so considering all that he achieved as a player during his time in England, but that excitement has been tempered somewhat following an underwhelming start to the new league season.
An opening fixture versus a team which barely avoided the drop last time around seemed like a more than presentable opportunity for Kompany to begin his tenure on a winning note. Their opponents clearly never read the script, as Anderlecht begun 2019/20 as they finished 2018/19, by underperforming and failing to win as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat at the expense of Oostende.
There was slight improvement next time out as they ground out a goalless draw away to Mouscron, but that was more to do with the actual result – the fact they didn’t lose – than the performance itself. If including pre-season friendlies, their slow start in the league means no win in the last five (D2 L3). Focusing solely on the league, however, and it is the exact same – no win in the last five (D3 L2), and just one win in twelve stretching right back to March (W1 D4 L7).
It is all rather grim. The positivity surrounding Kompany’s arrival can only last so long, so it’s important the club seize on this moment sooner rather than later. Home form is, at least, one crumb of comfort for them (W9 D8 L3, GF33 GA19 at home in 2018/19), with the better of their form last season produced in Brussels where the team reside.
KV Mechelen Preview – Visitors primed to cause even more problems?
Having already witnessed a potential relegation candidate bursting the Anderlecht bubble, KV Mechelen will be in high spirits as they attempt to perform a similar role and would appear better equipped to do so on the back of a strong start to the campaign. That being said, this remains an absolute nightmare of a fixture for the club based in Antwerp.
Mechelen have never recorded a victory away to Anderlecht before, failing in all previous efforts to do so, which currently stands at fourteen attempts (D3 L11 – away to Anderlecht in the league). There may never be a more opportune moment to do so, however, when taking into account not only the transitional period their opponents are currently undergoing but also their own encouraging form, which has seen them open their accounts for 2019/20 with back-to-back wins.
Despite being a newly promoted side, Mechelen begun the campaign on fire by registering impressive victories over Zulte-Waregem (0-2) and especially Genk (3-1), who are the defending Belgian champions. Confidence among the players should be overflowing and their fine start has been a continuation of some solid form displayed during pre-season – losing one of six friendlies (W2 D3 L1) – as well as securing both promotion and the Belgian Cup at the end of last season.
Forward Gustav Engvall has been particularly inspired so far, notching in both those aforementioned wins versus Zulte-Waregem and Genk. The 23-year-old Swede has continued where he left off last season in the league below, where he produced eight goals to aide his team in its successful promotion push. He is 42/20 with UniBet to score for the third match in a row.
Anderlecht V KV Mechelen Key Facts:
- Anderlecht failed to win either of their opening two league fixtures and have now won one of previous twelve matches in the league (W1 D4 L7).
- Mechelen have begun by winning their first two fixtures, which includes an impressive 3-1 defeat of champions Genk.
- Eight of the previous nine league meetings between these sides have produced both teams to score.
Betting Summary
It has been a stuttering start to life under a new managerial regime for Anderlecht, who were once the dominant player in Belgian football but languished down in 6th position at the end of the previous season. Their sluggish start has been a continuation of the poor form displayed towards the end of the last campaign as well as in pre-season.
The momentum appears to be with Mechelen, who must surely be aware of this fantastic opportunity to register a maiden away win at Anderlecht. They were the Belgian Cup winners last season, as well as being the best team in the second division as they successfully secured a return to the top tier. Meanwhile, it has been a stunning start to life back at the top level, beating both Zulte-Waregem and reigning champs Genk.
So there is a lot to like about the visiting side here, who are very generously priced given the circumstances. Mechelen or Draw is very appealing at 6/5 with Unibet, but Anderlecht will gradually improve and should produce a stronger showing second time out in front of their home fans. The away side are no pushovers, though, and this could be another fun encounter – eight of the previous nine meetings produced both teams to score!
