Antwerp — Mechelen : Match Preview and Prediction for August 24,2025

Current Club Turmoil at Antwerp

The club is currently in a state of utter disarray. The most pressing issue is the widespread sale of its star players. Antwerp is facing severe financial difficulties, a fact the management openly acknowledges. The club’s leadership is compelled to offload assets simply to stay afloat.

Key Player Exodus

Key goalkeeper Senne Lammens is reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester United, with negotiations nearing completion for a fee around 20 million euros. Concurrently, pivotal attacking midfielder Michel-Ange Balikwisha has all but finalized his transfer to Celtic.

Coaching Staff Concerns & External Commentary

Head coach Stef Wils has candidly admitted his surprise that these players remain with the squad. He is already in discussions with management regarding potential replacements, a clear indicator of the pervasive disarray within the team. Fellow coach Ivan Leko of Gent has bluntly stated that Antwerp is ill-prepared for the new season, a sentiment that is hard to refute.

Mounting Injury Woes

Personnel issues further compound the club’s predicament. Veteran midfielder Jefry Hairemans is sidelined for an extended period due to a severe cruciate ligament injury. Furthermore, new defensive recruit Yuto Tsunashima, from whom much was expected, is struggling with fitness and consistently experiences cramps, preventing him from completing matches.

Disappointing Season Start & Home Form

The early season results only validate these concerns: three draws in four matches, including a recent 1-1 stalemate against Charleroi. Delving deeper into their home record reveals a truly dismal picture: Antwerp has failed to secure a victory in 9 of their last 10 home encounters.

Mechelen’s Impressive Form

In stark contrast, the visiting side approaches this fixture in a completely different state of affairs. Mechelen boasts an impressive nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. They have enjoyed an excellent start to the league season, accumulating 8 points from four rounds without a single defeat.

Strong Performances Against Top Teams

Fred Vanderbiest’s squad has already tested their mettle against formidable opponents, securing a 2-1 victory over Club Brugge and holding Gent to a 1-1 draw. This demonstrates a high level of tactical organization. The coach himself emphasizes that the team operates seamlessly and is difficult to break down.

Away Form and Team Cohesion

Mechelen is particularly formidable away from home, having remained unbeaten in their last five road games. They are a robust, well-drilled team adept at achieving results. In stark contrast to the chaos at Antwerp, the atmosphere here is more professional, with key players like Fredrik Hammar publicly refuting transfer rumors.

Historical Head-to-Head Advantage

The head-to-head record presents another crucial advantage. Mechelen has avoided defeat against Antwerp in their last three away fixtures, notably winning the two most recent encounters at this very stadium. This historical dominance provides a clear psychological edge for the visitors.