KV Mechelen face a tough challenge in the Jupiler Pro League on Saturday evening as they host RSC Anderlecht at the Achter de Kazerne. Manager Wouter Vrancken's side must engineer a turnaround following a painful 4-0 home defeat to KVC Westerlo last weekend.
The Malinwa currently sit 15th in the table with just two points from five matches played. Recent form is concerning with three defeats and two draws in their last five league games. The defence has already conceded thirteen goals, while scoring only five.
Injury woes
The squad is hampered by injuries. Defender Leo Fuhr Hjelde and goalkeeper Tijn Van Ingelgom are both sidelined longer-term with a tendon injury and a broken arm respectively. Their returns are not expected until late October. This limits Vrancken's options, who fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation against Westerlo with Nikola Miras in goal and Théo Koudou in midfield.
Anderlecht travel to Mechelen after a 0-0 draw with Genk. The Brussels side have a strong home win over Kortrijk (1-0) and two Europa League victories against Kairat Almaty to their name, but also suffered a 3-0 defeat at Union SG. Only defender Lucas Hey is injured for the visitors with a broken leg.
The last meeting between the two sides dates from last season. The current standings show the precarious position Mechelen finds itself in.
A positive note was the 3-3 draw at home to Standard Liege, which shows the attack can create chances. Strikers like Mikkel van Brederode and Samuel Ayodele will need to make their mark. The midfield duo of Dennis Praet and Filip Hammar will be tasked with dictating play.
The match kicks off at 20:45 on Saturday in a packed Achter de Kazerne. Vrancken's team selection will reveal whether the squad has recovered mentally from the Westerlo blow. The next official match is in a week's time away to Lommel United, who are ninth in the league.
