Standard – Westerlo: preview
We have the lineups for the Standard vs Westerlo match in the 11th round of the Belgian Pro League 2026/27.
In the eleventh round of the Pro League, two teams in crisis will face each other. "Standard" is looking for its first win in the competition since September, while "Westerlo" is hoping for its first away win of the season.
Key points
Standard
1. "Standard" has begun to forget the taste of victory in the Pro League
The "Red" have not won since 5 September: in five matches they have suffered four defeats and drew the last game with "KRC Genk" — 1:1. The streak of failures was interrupted by a cup win over "Dender" — 2:0, advancing to the round of 16. In the Pro League, the team with 12 points has dropped to ninth place, losing virtually all chances to compete even for medals. The gap to third place is 13 points.
2. Matty Eplo’s participation in the match is in doubt
The fourth of the "Reds" is practically empty. Juan José Homawu and Mo El Hancuri, who have been injured for a long time, did not play this season; in addition, the main midfielder, Casper Nielsen, has missed the last matches. His replacement in the starting eleven is Salé Drammeh. In the last match, the main goalkeeper, Matty Eplo, was absent due to a suspension, and it is not certain he will play now — he has an injury. Therefore, Lucas Pirard has the chance to keep his place in the back. There is also good news: Gustav Morten is recovering and already in the starting eleven, which has made the team’s defence more reliable and stable. The focus is on Adnan Abida and Dennis Eckert, who have scored four goals this season and have a stable place in the starting eleven.
3. "Standard" knows how to beat "Westerlo"
In recent years, the results of the "Reds" have been far from perfect, but against future guests they play successfully. They have lost only one of the last seven matches, with one draw and five wins. The last three games were won with a total score of 7:3. Moreover, this year the "Standard", despite all the problems, has been accumulating points regularly, losing only one of the six matches. In three encounters, they played without goals, and only in one did they concede more than one goal. Taking into account the head‑to‑head statistics, the owners have every opportunity to strengthen the home record.
Westerlo
1. "Westerlo" has not won in the league for a long time
The "Lions" returned to the Belgian football elite after five years and look good as newcomers. At the start of the season, they alternated wins and losses, and only in the last rounds did they slightly reduce the pace. Currently, the guests have a streak of four matches without victories, with the defence: "Genk" — 0:1, "Lommel" — 1:3, "Westerlo" — 4:4 and "Union" — 1:2. Only in the cup did the team manage to beat "Abay-la-Ñov" — 3:0. In the Pro League, the team is 12th with 10 points, four points away from the relegation zone.
2. The fourth of the guests is gradually emptying
In the next match, due to injuries, only Kurt Abraham and Leandre Kuavita will not be able to play. On the other hand, the duo of defenders Victor Bunn and Loren Jans has returned to form and are already in the starting eleven, and in the last match the main defender, Stefan Keller, was on the bench for the first time since September. The return of key defensive players should make the team’s defence more reliable. In midfield and attack, the young Belgian Chris Lokeda and the Nigerian Victor Olatundji stand out. The former started on the bench in recent matches, now expected to play in the starting eleven, and the latter has only played four matches for the team and already scored three goals. Additionally, Arno Vershuren’s form: in the last three matches, he has two goals and assists.
3. "Westerlo" does not know how to play away
The main problem for the "Lions" this season is away matches. The team has played five away games, lost four times and only in the last match broke the streak of failures, sharing points with "Westerlo" — 4:4. In three of the five matches, "Westerlo" did not score and in three failed to keep the score at four goals. Taking this into account, and the streak of four league defeats with a total score of 5:12, the guests should not expect a positive result in the next match. The defence on the road does not support any criticism this season.
Possible lineups
4-3-3
4-2-1
2-1-2
1-3-1
Pirard 3
Mortensen 25
Hautekiet 20
Karamoko 13
Fossey 84
Touzghar 22
Truye 15
Drammeh 11
Adnane 10
Eckert 9
Zekiri 1
Shenk 21
Jans 3
Bunn 31
Godo 4
Janssens 18
Devale 44
Umar Conde 24
Vershuren 9
Kabore 5
Lokesa 33
Olatundji
Betting on the trend
"Standard" has beaten "Westerlo" five of the last six encounters. Bet: P1 — 1.75.
The total of over 2.5 was played in five of the last six matches between "Standard" and "Westerlo". Bet: TB2,5 — 1.66.
Forecast
Standard vs Westerlo 06.11.2026 23:45
The teams, which have not won in the league for a long time, are mixing the streak of failures only with successes in the cup. The opponents’ recent results are identical, but the reasons differ. "Standard" fails to find its football in attack, but in defence the team has become more secure and reliable. "Westerlo" is also not in good shape, with the only highlighted game against "Westerlo" — 4:4. In defence, in October, the club has had a weak performance, conceding a minimum of two goals, and in three league matches has received nine goals.
Both teams are home, so the factor of their stands can be decisive. "Standard" only lost one of the six matches of the season, accumulating points thanks to a reliable defence. "Westerlo" does not win away: four defeats and one draw. This statistic favours the "Reds", and if it is taken into account that in the League the owners won the last four direct encounters, the preference for "Standard" becomes confidence in victory.
Forecast: 2-1
