Club Brugge KV vs KV Mechelen Prediction & Betting Tips (26 July)

Deprived of the title in 2022-2023, Club Bruges has regained its crown of Belgian Champion which it is accustomed to displaying since it has still won 5 of the last 8 editions of this championship. Last year, Simon Mignolet's partners were able to snatch the title by a small point to the detriment of Union Saint-Gilloise. They were even able to play in the semi-finals of the Conference League where they were finally beaten by Fiorentina 4-3 over the 2 matches. Undefeated during their summer preparation, the Gazelles, on the other hand, missed their return to competition by losing to Union Saint-Gilloise during the Belgian Super Cup last week 1-2.

Opposite, FC Mechelen did not is ultimately only a mid-table club in Belgium where it only took 2nd place in the play-off group for the Conference League, and 8th overall in this championship over the entire season. This summer, the Kakkers won 3 of their first 4 preparation matches against Oudenaarde 0-3, Wilrijk 1-2, Lille 1-1 and Heist 0-1 but they ended this phase of friendly matches with a defeat against the 'Olympiakos 2-0 last weekend.

Club Brugge is now orphaned by Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, scorer of 18 goals last season in the league, who has taken over as manager of Brentford. This is the only big departure to report in this team which has otherwise strengthened itself by attracting winger Tzolis (Fortuna Düsseldorf), goalkeeper Romero (Estudiantes) and Swedish striker Nilsson (Union Saint-Gilloise) who had scored 16 times last year in the championship. The locals can also still count on the Spanish striker Jutgla (8 goals, 6 assists) and the Dane Skov Olsen (14 goals, 4 assists last year). However, he should not be back after his participation in the Euro. Defender Ordonez is also on the flank.

This summer, Mechelen lost some important pieces starting with its starting goalkeeper Coucke (free), the experienced striker Slimani (3 goals, 4 assists), the very promising midfielder Mukau (Lille) and defender Garan'anga (FC Copenhagen). The young striker Norman Gassette (5 goals) returned to Caen where he belongs after his loan period. The Sang et Or, on the other hand, brought in striker Nosa Dahl (Bodo Glimt), defender Marsa (FC Andorra), right back Van Cleemput (Charleroi) and goalkeeper Wolf (Zulte Waregem). The offensive executives Hairemans (6 goals, 4 assists), Schoofs (7 goals, 8 assists) and Mrabti (8 goals, 7 assists) are still very present.