KV Mechelen – KVC Westerlo

After a series of five consecutive defeats (2019-2024), we have emerged victorious from the last two encounters. What can be said about the goals scored in each game? An average of six goals per match. Another interesting detail in this Antwerp provincial derby: 28 yellow cards and 4 red cards, with the Mechelen coaching bench receiving a yellow card each time. Will this be another match full of emotions, duels and goals? 

Home game

On match day 3, Mechelen visited the Kuipje. The only goal of the match was scored in the 84th minute, when substitute Benito Raman gave the Kakkers 3 points. It was also the only big chance Mechelen had in that match, after they had 5 shots on goal, with one hitting the woodwork.

Our Kemphanen had 18 shots on goal that evening, six of which were saved by goalkeeper Ortwin De Wolf, and we also hit the woodwork once. 

Westerlo news

Griffin Yow’s transfer was finally completed, he is returning to his home country to play for New England Revolution, and Dylan Ourega has joined our ranks. This left-sided player made his professional debut last year with French second division side EA Guingamp, where he made 35 appearances, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

Seiji Kimura remains sidelined for this weekend, but he is working hard to make his return. Eliot Bujupi has undergone surgery on his cruciate ligaments, which means his season is obviously over.

Coach Issame Charaï enjoyed a glorious spell at Mechelen as a player between 2006 and 2008, making 56 appearances and scoring 16 goals.

Mechelen news

Coach Fred Vanderbiest has five players sidelined for this match: goalkeeper De Wolf, defenders Salifou and Zekri, and forwards Raman and Mrabti.

Last weekend, they lost 1-0 to leaders Union in a 3-5-2 formation: (13) Miras (18) Struyf (2) Halhal (33) St. Jago (7) Koudou (6) Hammar (8) Konaté (17) Servais (9) van Brederode (10) Kireev and (20) Lauberbach. 

If we are to believe the newspapers, striker Lauberbach would like to transfer to Venezia in Italy.

So far, they have made one winter transfer: the promising 18-year-old Mauro Lenaerts came over from Lierse.

Referee

Erik Lambrechts was appointed to referee this match. He is one of our top referees, having already officiated in four Champions League matches this season (Benfica vs Qarabag, Tottenham vs Copenhagen, Dortmund vs Bodo/Glimt and Chelsea vs Pafos). He has also been in action in the Europa League and Conference League.

In our own league, he has been assigned to seven matches: none for Westerlo so far and one for Mechelen, who played at home against Brugge (2-1).

Looking further back, he has refereed 16 of our matches, with a record of two wins, two draws and four defeats.