Anderlecht vs Mechelen preview

Belgium flag 2025/2026 Pro League, Belgium
Lotto Park Sun, 17 May - 11:30 AM
Pro League
AnderlechtADL
2 – 2
MechelenMEC
Full Time Sun, 17 May 11:30 AM
Round 8 Championship Round
Ilay Camara - 90+1'
Goal
|
Goal

CONTEXT

The match between Anderlecht and Mechelen delivered an entertaining 2-2 draw at the home stadium. Anderlecht, the stronger side according to pre-match assessments, controlled much of the game with 59 percent possession. They managed to score twice, matching Mechelen's tally in a game that saw both teams find the net once before halftime. The even scoreline at the interval set the stage for an open second period where defensive lapses allowed for further goals. Despite their territorial advantage, Anderlecht could not secure the win against a determined Mechelen side that showed efficiency in counter-attacks. The absence of any dismissals ensured a complete tactical battle unfolded over the ninety minutes. This result underscores the competitive balance in the league where favorites do not always prevail. Players from both sides displayed commitment and skill, creating several scoring opportunities that kept the spectators engaged until the end. The draw leaves both teams with valuable points in their pursuit of league objectives moving forward.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Anderlecht held 59 percent possession compared to Mechelen's 41 percent in a match that ended 2-2.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift was in line with expectations for both teams.
  • xG alignment: xG data was not recorded for this fixture.
  • Market alignment: The final draw outcome aligned with market expectations.
  • xG expectations: Expected goals projections were unavailable due to missing data.
  • Event impact: Key events led to a balanced 2-2 result after a 1-1 halftime score.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards were issued, resulting in no distortion to the game's flow.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
J. Boterberg
J. Boterberg
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0.52
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0.12
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
N. Senecaut
N. Senecaut
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
T. Vanpoucke
T. Vanpoucke
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
M. Ledda
M. Ledda
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Anderlecht J. Taravel
J. Taravel
VS
Mechelen F. Vanderbiest
F. Vanderbiest
1.13
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.22
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Gent Rank: 71 D
Club Brugge Rank: 85 L
Union Saint-Gilloise Rank: 85 L
Sint-Truiden Rank: 75 L
Mechelen Rank: 69 W
Gent Rank: 71 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Union Saint-Gilloise Rank: 86 L
Gent Rank: 72 W
Sint-Truiden Rank: 76 L
Club Brugge Rank: 86 L
Anderlecht Rank: 72 L
Union Saint-Gilloise Rank: 86 L
20
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
20 - 10 - 7
7

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Anderlecht
5.51%
Draw
90.89%
Away Mechelen
3.6%

Movement

Changes since opening
Anderlecht
-3.06%
Draw
+4.42%
Mechelen
-1.36%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
72.49
69.25
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Anderlecht
Mechelen
Power Score
72.49
69.25
League Position
6
6
Global Rank
145
219

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Anderlecht — Opponent-weighted form score
Mechelen — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Anderlecht Mechelen

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Anderlecht

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Mechelen

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Anderlecht ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Mechelen
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Anderlecht Mechelen
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Anderlecht Mechelen
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
Anderlecht
Mechelen
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Anderlecht
vs
Mechelen
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Anderlecht Mechelen
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Anderlecht 0.00
Mechelen 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Anderlecht Mechelen
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Anderlecht 0.00
Mechelen 0.00
Anderlecht
Mechelen
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • ADL had peak pressure around 36'.
  • MEC started the game with stronger pressure.
ADL Pressure MEC Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: ADL reached the top pressure at 36' (83.44).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 37 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Anderlecht ADL Home
37 matches
Mechelen MEC Away
Match Record
20
Wins
7
10
Draws
10
7
Losses
20
Goals
82
Goals Scored
41
41
Goals Conceded
82
+41
Goal Difference
-41
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-05-17T11:15:51+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-2-1
Pitch
C. Coosemans
Belgium
26 C. Coosemans
I. Camara
Belgium
7 I. Camara
L. Hey
Denmark
3 L. Hey
M. Diarra
Substitution
Mali
93 M. Diarra
L. Augustinsson
Sweden
6 L. Augustinsson
N. Saliba
Substitution
Canada
13 N. Saliba
E. Llansana
Substitution
Netherlands
24 E. Llansana
C. Huerta Valera
Substitution
Mexico
21 C. Huerta Valera
N. De Cat
74 N. De Cat
T. Degreef
Belgium
83 T. Degreef
D. Sikan
Substitution
Ukraine
14 D. Sikan
I. Mirás Blanco
Substitution
Spain
13 I. Mirás Blanco
J. Martinez Marsà
Spain
3 J. Martinez Marsà
R. Halhal
Morocco
2 R. Halhal
T. St. Jago
Netherlands
33 T. St. Jago
M. Servais
Belgium
17 M. Servais
D. Salifou
Substitution
Togo
29 D. Salifou
F. Hammar
Sweden
6 F. Hammar
T. Koudou
Substitution
France
7 T. Koudou
M. van Brederode
Netherlands
9 M. van Brederode
K. Mrabti
Substitution
Sweden
19 K. Mrabti
B. Boersma
Substitution
28 B. Boersma

General Information

Date & Time
May 17, 2026, 11:30 AM
Competition
2025/2026 Pro League, Belgium · Round 8 · Championship Round
Stadium
Lotto Park
Capacity
21500
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Jan Boterberg
N. Senecaut
Tom Vanpoucke
Massimiliano Ledda

Statistics

Possession
ADL
55%
MEC
45%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 2
2 Big Chances Created 1
13 Shots 9
41 Dangerous attacks 32
59 Possession 41
2 Corners 2
15 Free kicks 16
0 Yellow Cards 4

Match Overview

2 Injuries 2
5 Substitutions 5
1 Assists 1
10 Dribble Attempts 8
20 Successful Dribbles Percentage 38
23 Throwins 17
2 Successful Dribbles 3
5 Goal Kicks 7
82 Ball Safe 75
12 Goal Attempts 5

Attacking

98 Attacks 86
2 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

419 Successful Passes 269
81 Successful Passes Percentage 75
12 Key Passes 8
518 Passes 359
46 Long Passes 72
18 Successful Long Passes 31
39 Successful Long Passes Percentage 43

Defensive

19 Tackles 17
1 Saves 7
10 Interceptions 11
52 Duels Won 57

Build-up

14 Total Crosses 12
2 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

1 Offsides 2
16 Fouls 15

Lineup

Referee : Jan Boterberg

Starting XI ▼

26
Colin Coosemans
Colin Coosemans Goalkeeper
6.82
3
Lucas Hey
Lucas Hey Defender
6.82
6
Ludwig Augustinsson
Ludwig Augustinsson Defender
6.93
7
Ilay Camara
Ilay Camara Defender
6.61
93
Moussa Diarra
Moussa Diarra Defender
6.56
54
Killian Sardella
Killian Sardella
Defender72'
6.73
13
Nathan-Dylan Saliba
Nathan-Dylan Saliba Midfielder
6.88
79
Ali Maamar
Ali Maamar
Defender83'
6.63
21
César Huerta
César Huerta Midfielder
6.75
91
Adriano Bertaccini
Adriano Bertaccini
Attacker61'
8.3
24
Enric Llansana
Enric Llansana Midfielder
6.83
55
Marco Kana
Marco Kana
Defender73'
6.75
74
Nathan De Cat
Nathan De Cat Midfielder
6.86
83
Tristan Degreef
Tristan Degreef Midfielder
6.62
14
Danylo Sikan
Danylo Sikan Attacker
6.57
11
Thorgan Hazard
Thorgan Hazard
Midfielder72'
7.32
Referee : Jan Boterberg

Starting XI ▼

13
Nacho Miras
Nacho Miras Goalkeeper
7.12
1
Ortwin De Wolf
Ortwin De Wolf
Goalkeeper46'
6.78
2
Redouane Halhal
Redouane Halhal Defender
6.88
3
José Marsà
José Marsà Defender
6.69
33
Tommy St. Jago
Tommy St. Jago Defender
6.78
6
Fredrik Hammar
Fredrik Hammar Midfielder
7.03
7
Thérence Koudou
Thérence Koudou Midfielder
6.73
39
M. Decoene
M. Decoene
Midfielder85'
6.33
17
Mathis Servais
Mathis Servais Midfielder
6.97
29
Dikeni Salifou
Dikeni Salifou Midfielder
6.55
8
Mory Konaté
Mory Konaté
Midfielder69'
6.76
9
Myron van Brederode
Myron van Brederode Attacker
7.13
19
Kerim Mrabti
Kerim Mrabti Attacker
6.87
38
Bill Antonio
Bill Antonio
Attacker79'
6.52
28
Bouke Boersma
Bouke Boersma Attacker
6.72
14
Damir Milanovic
Damir Milanovic
Attacker85'
6.67

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Jérémy Taravel
Time wasting / 5th Yellowcard
90+4'
Event
Ilay Camara
Right foot shot / 4th Goal
90+1'
90'
Event
Mory Konaté
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
88'
Event
M. Decoene
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
85'
Event
Damir Milanovic → Bouke Boersma
10th Substitution
85'
Event
M. Decoene → Thérence Koudou
9th Substitution
Event
Ali Maamar → Nathan-Dylan Saliba
8th Substitution
83'
79'
Event
Bill Antonio → Kerim Mrabti
7th Substitution
Event
Marco Kana → Enric Llansana
6th Substitution
73'
Event
Killian Sardella → Moussa Diarra
5th Substitution
72'
Event
Thorgan Hazard → Danylo Sikan
4th Substitution
72'
69'
Event
Mory Konaté → Dikeni Salifou
3rd Substitution
Event
Adriano Bertaccini → César Huerta
2nd Substitution
61'
60'
Event
Thérence Koudou
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
46'
Event
Ortwin De Wolf → Nacho Miras
1st Substitution
1ST-HALF
42'
Event
Dikeni Salifou
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
39'
Event
Redouane Halhal
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
Event
Nathan-Dylan Saliba
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
17'
15'
Event
Myron van Brederode
Right foot shot / 1st Goal

Match Commentary

85
Update Update
Benito Raman comes on for Bouke Boersma.
83
Update Update
Ali Maamar replaces Nathan Saliba.
85
Update Update
Massimo Decoene is on, and Therence Koudou is off.
90
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Ilay Camara takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
90
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Ilay Camara scores, making it 2-2.
72
Update Update
Thorgan Hazard comes on for Danylo Sikan.
79
Substitution Substitution
Bill Antonio is substituted for Kerim Mrabti.
68
Attempt Attempt
Adriano Bertaccini's header is saved.
72
Update Update
Killian Sardella comes on for Moussa Diarra.
61
Update Update
Adriano Bertaccini is replaced by Cesar Huerta.
69
Substitution Substitution
Mory Konate is substituted for Dikeni-Rafid Salifou.
54
Attempt Attempt
Cesar Huerta takes a right-footed shot but misses.
88
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Massimo Decoene receives a yellow card.
90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Mory Konate receives a yellow card.
60
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Therence Koudou takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
45
Attempt Attempt
Enric Llansana takes a right-footed shot but misses.
55
Attempt Attempt
Myron van Brederode takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
42
Attempt Attempt
Bouke Boersma takes a right-footed shot but misses.
46
Update Update
Ortwin De Wolf comes on for Nacho Miras.
35
Attempt Attempt
Nathan Saliba takes a right-footed shot but misses.
43
Attempt Attempt
Danylo Sikan's right-footed shot is saved.
38
Attempt Attempt
Ilay Camara takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
22
Attempt Attempt
Jose Martinez Marsa takes a header shot but misses.
17
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Nathan Saliba takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
33
Attempt Attempt
Ilay Camara's right-footed shot is saved.
8
Attempt Attempt
Therence Koudou takes a left-footed shot but misses.
4
Attempt Attempt
Therence Koudou takes a left-footed shot but misses.
15
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Myron van Brederode scores with a right-footed shot.
22
Attempt Attempt
Mathis Servais takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
3
Attempt Attempt
Bouke Boersma takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
17
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Nathan Saliba scores, making it 1-1.
26
Attempt Attempt
Cesar Huerta attempts a right-footed shot but misses.
4
Attempt Attempt
Nathan De Cat's header is saved.
64
Attempt Attempt
Danylo Sikan's header is saved.
73
Update Update
Marco Kana comes on for Enric Llansana.
29
Attempt Attempt
Danylo Sikan's header is saved.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the 2-2 stalemate between Anderlecht and Mechelen represents a fair reflection of the on-field events. Although Anderlecht enjoyed greater possession and was expected to edge the contest, Mechelen's organized approach and timely responses ensured they shared the spoils. The game flowed without major interruptions from disciplinary actions, allowing strategies to develop fully. Both teams can take positives from their performances, particularly in how they adapted after the equalizing goals. This outcome may influence future preparations as the season progresses, emphasizing the need for clinical finishing and solid defending in equal measure. Overall, it was a match that highlighted the unpredictability and excitement inherent in such fixtures.