Kortrek – Mechelen: Match Preview
We provide the predictions for the encounter between Kortrek and Mechelen in the 9th round of the Belgian Pro League 2026/27.
Belgium offers fans a battle in the lowest part of the table. In the last eight matches, Kortrek and Mechelen each won exactly one game.
Key Points
Kortrek
1. The new coach started with a loss
During the international break, Kortrek made a logical decision and hired a new coach. It is the young Austrian Daniel Baichler, who had some experience at Red Bull Salzburg at the end of the last season.
Baichler began in Belgium with a defeat against Genc 0:3. Honestly, the team could not play in a radically different way; the difference in class and level was noticeable. Kortrek must face easier opponents in its matches, and the first of them is Mechelen. The owners arrive with discouraging data: seven defeats in eight rounds and only two goals scored. In the Pro League, only Cercle Brugge performs worse.
2. Campbell suspended
The coach had two weeks to prepare
The young South African striker Shandre Campbell will not play against Mechelen. The reason is simple: a red card in the last turn against Genc. For Kortrek it is a big loss, as Campbell is one of the two players who has scored for the team in the league. The other, the author of Jamie Roche’s goal, was unavailable due to injury in recent weeks.
Last week in Belgium cup matches were played, from which Kortrek already exited without problems. That’s why the new coach had time to work in training and prepare something interesting for Mechelen.
3. Kortrek scores very little
Something must be done about that
Two goals in eight rounds is a horrible result, no excuses. It is even surprising that they managed a win: in Vasal Beveren (1:0) before the international break, thanks to the early sending off of the opponent.
Inviting the new coach should change the situation. With an average of 0.25 goals per 90 minutes, it is easy to improve effectiveness. Already against Mechelen the first effect of Daniel Baichler’s decisions is expected. Two weeks ago against Genc, they almost played in a time deficit, what goals were scored?
Mechelen
1. Mechelen shows signs of life
Someone really benefited from the long break. Immediately after, Mechelen beat Sint-Truiden 4:3 (the first win of the season) and then in the national cup beat KAS Eupen 5:1. All the bad was erased immediately. And without changing the coach, Frederic Vandenbist keeps working. If he forgot or didn’t know, in the last season Mechelen finished in the top‑6 in the first phase, qualifying for the Champions phase.
The current season in the Pro League is played with another system, no sub‑group divisions in the spring. In it Mechelen probably no longer competes for something interesting, but can avoid the survival battle.
2. Moderate rotation in the cup
In the weekly schedule it is not necessary to change the squad much in the league and the national cup. Thus, Vandenbist gave playing time to the second goalkeeper Ovin de Wolf and the Spanish Nacho Miras will return to his place in the league.
In attack, the team’s top scorer, Myron van Brededor, will keep his place in the starting lineup. Mechelen has had good performance, and the Dutch forward scored a goal in October. We expect more efficiency from him.
3. Head‑to‑head statistics between Mechelen, but the last match was won by Kortrek
In the last season the teams did not meet, because Kortrek took a break in the second Belgian league. Before that, the encounters were regular, and in recent seasons the statistics fully favor Mechelen: seven consecutive victories and almost always at least three goals scored – a one‑way street. But the last game ended with Kortrek 3:1. It can be considered an exception. Mechelen worked well during the international break, two wins and nine goals, it is talked about. With Kortrek’s terrible offense, Mechelen has all the chances to achieve a classic win with at least three goals.
Estimated lineups
4-3-3-3-4-3
Gunnarsson 5 Ndjeungoue 4 Murray-Campbell 21 Drouhin 36 Kohón 19 De Yager 18 Van Landschoot 35 Boris 68 Ambroz 10 Koylipu 90 Ogbuehi 13 Mirás 20 Corbanie 44 Erdheisen 3 Martínez Maras 23 Michez 6 Hammar 26 Pratt 7 Koudou 14 Ramán 28 Boersma 9 Van Brededor
Betting on the trend
In the last eight head‑to‑head meetings, Mechelen won seven times. P2 costs 2.65.
In the last eleven head‑to‑head meetings, ten times at least three goals were scored. TB 2.5 costs 1.77.
Prediction
Kortrek vs Mechelen 23.10.2026 22:45
The start of the season for the teams is described in one word: disaster. A win in eight rounds is the direct path to a grueling survival battle. Especially it is sad for Mechelen, which last spring fought for European competitions in the Champions phase. However, there is hope for improvement: after the international break, Mechelen won two league matches and the national cup, scoring nine goals.
In the head‑to‑head matches with Kortrek, in recent seasons stability is constant victory and at least three goals. If Mechelen’s passion continues, the continuation of the successful series is likely. Kortrek has scored only two goals in eight rounds, and both scorers will not play on Friday. For a win, the visitors only need one goal, but they can score much more. Overall, the second league win for Mechelen seems likely.
Prediction: 1-3
