Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Belgian Pro League clash between Leuven and Westerlo, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Leuven square off against Westerlo on Saturday evening looking to record the win that may be enough to secure third place in the Belgian Pro League European playoff table.
Meanwhile, Westerlo make the trip to King Power At Den Dreef already guaranteed to finish in bottom spot.
Match preview
Given the form that they showed prior to the March international break, Leuven can be more than satisfied with how they have concluded the campaign.
A return of 15 points from their nine playoff fixtures – both of their defeats coming to Mechelen – has continued to boost Oscar Garcia‘s stock at the club.
Furthermore, Leuven are on a three-match unbeaten streak, defeating Standard Liege and Gent before being held to a 1-1 draw at Sint-Truiden last time out.
Fourth place as a bare minimum has been guaranteed, but Garcia will want his players to make one final push to edge into third come Saturday night.
For that to be achieved, OHL must win this fixture and hope that Sint-Truiden lose out to table-toppers Gent.
From Westerlo’s perspective, they are desperate to end the season on a high having put together a prolonged winless streak since February.
During a 12-game run without success, Westerlo have only recorded four draws, all of which have been posted on home territory.
Caretaker boss Bart Goor is unlikely to keep the reins on a permanent basis, yet the desire will be there to register a first away triumph since December.
In the corresponding match during the regular season in November, Westerlo came away from King Power At Den Dreef with a 2-0 win.
Leuven Belgian Pro League form:
Westerlo Belgian Pro League form:
Team News
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson came off the substitutes’ bench to score Leuven’s equaliser against Sint-Truiden and could be rewarded with a start in the final third.
Either Mathieu Maertens or Youssef Maziz may drop out to accommodate the playmaker, but the rest of the team could stay the same.
Goor will inevitably make changes to his Westerlo side, potentially handing recalls to Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Kyan Vaesen.
Thomas van den Keybus is also in contention to return in central midfield, but the likes of Nacer Chadli and Emin Bayram remain on the sidelines.
Leuven possible starting lineup:
Leyson; Schingtienne, Ricca, Russo; Akimoto, Schrijivers, Misao, Miguel; Thorsteinsson, Maertens; Mueanta
Westerlo possible starting lineup:
Bolat; Reynolds, Piedfort, Tagir, Bos; Sydorchuk, Haspolat; Yow, Madsen, Sayyadmanesh; Stassin
We say: Leuven 2-1 Westerlo
Although this a dead-rubber, both teams will want to end their season on a high. Although Leuven have not necessarily impressed in the final third, we feel that they will do enough to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
