ST.LIEGE VS KV MECHELEN PREVIEW & PREDICTION
The penultimate matchday will be a very important one in Liege. Standard must win if they still have a chance to get into the top six. And visitors from Mechelen also have to win to maintain themselves in the highest class.
St. Liege :
Standard has been unbeaten for five games but is still not in the top six. Too many matches end in a draw. They are almost obliged to win their two remaining games to finish in the top six. And even then they are dependent on the teams that are still above them. The achieved cup final can hopefully give them a boost to definitely win the last home game of the regular season.
Standard was visited by the leader from Bruges on the previous day of play. In a moderate first half was the first real chance for Club Brugge. At the hoff hour the first chance for the home team was right away. Mehdi Carcela prefers Kenneth Vermeer no chance with a deviated shot. Confidence grew at Standard after the opening goal and the pace went up. In the second half, the better chance (s) for the home team. Club was able to come alongside on a stationary stage. Now the game was tilted and Standard could hardly be dangerous.
In Liège, there are also negative points to report. Top striker Orlando Sa sat on the bench for the second week in a row. The reason would be that he wants to force a transfer to lucrative China. And after the last whistle, some Standard players surrounded the referee, including Paul-José Mpoku. He had to appear before the Review Committee this week because of physical contact with a ‘match delegate’. Mpoku was suspended for the match against KV Mechelen, but there was also a conditional penalty. If ref puts Boucaut Mpoku in his report, that becomes an effective suspension.
KV Mechelen :
Mechelen has a very disappointing season. Last season, they competed in the regular season until the last day of play for Play-off 1. Now they are on the edge of First Division B. More even, after last weekend Mechelen must fear more than ever for the relegation. And that would be a real disaster for the glorious tradition club. They have to see that they get more points this weekend than competitor Eupen. The last game they both play at home against teams that have nothing to win or lose.
In his penultimate home game of the season, KV Mechelen wanted to take the full booty against Charleroi in order to increase the pressure on Eupen in the relegation battle. Mechelen started the best of the game but swallowed a goal at the first attack of Charleroi. Mechelen got a few chances but the equalizer only came with the rest is sight when defender Mera headed in a free kick. In the second half, Mechelen got the chance to win the game but Mats Rits missed the penalty.
“Despite our hesitant start, we deserved to win,” said trainer Dennis Van Wijk. ‘If you still get a penalty, you hope it’s bingo. Because if we now degrade, I will still dream a lot. I do not blame Zits. He took his responsibility. I’ve been playing well since I’ve been here. Last week in Ghent he scored again.
PREDICTION: St. Liege to win @ 1.62
