Anderlecht v Mechelen: Belgian Pro League betting preview & free tip

7.30pm Friday

It has been a tough start to life for player-manager Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht after his side took only one point from their opening two Belgian Pro League fixtures.

The club fell to a 2-1 loss at home to Oostende before a goalless draw away to Excel Mouscron and they look worth opposing against a Mechelen outfit with a 100 per cent record.

With Kompany and Simon Davies among the coaching staff and Samir Nasri now plying his trade at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht are rife with familiar names to UK viewers.

But now they have added Kemar Roofe, Leeds' top scorer last season, to their ranks and he looks a promising long-term acquisition.

For the mean time, however, there is a lot that still needs improving.

They could muster only a fourth-placed finish last season, when they scored only 49 goals in their 30 regular-season matches.

Things are unlikely to improve overnight and Mechelen could be tricky opponents, having swept aside established outfits Genk and Zulte Waregem 3-1 and 2-0 respectively.

Former Bristol City forward Gustav Engvall was on the scoresheet in both those fixtures and, playing as part of a front two, is worth a look in the goalscorer markets.

But the best bet may be to back Mechelen, who have scored eight goals in their last three meetings with Anderlecht, to avoid defeat on the road.

Recommendation
Mechelen or draw double chance
1pt Evs general

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