Zulte Waregem vs KV Mechelen Prediction: Can Waregem open their return to topflight with a home victory?

Zulte Waregem vs KV Mechelen: Prediction and Odds on the Jupiler Pro League Match on July 26, 2025

Zulte Waregem will play host to KV Mechelen as they return to the Jupiler Pro League at Elindus Arena. This will be the home team first game in the top flight since 2022. Can KV Mechelen take advantage away from home? Let’s get into the full game previews and offer predictions. 

Zulte Waregem: Form and Statistics

Zulte Waregem returning to the Jupiler Pro League means they have to do all it takes to challenge next season. In the previous season in the Challenger Pro League, this team had 59 points from 28 matches, scoring 55 goals with 30 conceded which was enough to finish top of the table. Meanwhile, their run of games into this game saw this team lose only once in eleven consecutive encounters, coming against Reims in a friendly encounter. However, this team picked up wins against AEK Athens FC, AZ Alkmaar, Oudenaarde, PSV 1820, Rac. Waregen, and RWDM Brussels in that run. 

Zulte Waregem Team News and Lineup

Sven Vandenbroeck is expected to stick with his preferred 4-5-1 formation in this game which offers more protection to the defense line. Meanwhile, promising talents like Joseph Opoku and Tochukwu Nnadi will be crucial for this team and could make their topflight debuts. Also, newly signed Enrique Lofolomo and Thomas Claes are also in contention to make their competitive debuts. 

🔖Zulte Waregem Expected Lineup

Gabriel; Lemoine, Tanghe, Nyssen, Cappelle; Nnadi, Lofolomo, Claes, Erenbjerg, Opoku; Vossen

⛔️Unavailable: NIL

KV Mechelen: Form and Statistics

KV Mechelen finished the regular season 8th last season with 38 points from 30 games which was enough to make UEFA Conference League playoffs but could not book their spot in the competition. This team ended their season with an unbeaten run of five matches, settling for draws in four encounters with their lone win against Leuven. Meanwhile, this team lost to Ajax in their last preseason encounter in a 3-2 contest after a run of nine games without a defeat. 

KV Mechelen Team News and Lineup

Good news for the KV Mechelen side who have all first team players available except 21-year old forward, Keano Vanrafelghem. However, newly signed players, Redouane Halhal, Ryan Teague, and Moncef Zekri could get their debuts in this game as Frederik Vanderbiest will be counting on them to bring in their A-game. 

🔖KV Mechelen Expected Lineup

Wolf; Belghali, Halhal, Martinez, Zekri; Schoofs, Hammar; Pflucke, Mrabti, Storm; Lauberbach

⛔️Unavailable: Keano Vanrafelghem (injured)

Zulte Waregem vs KV Mechelen: Head-to-Head Statistics

The last meeting between KV Mechelen and Zulte Waregem was in 2023 in the Belgian Cup semifinal and KV Mechelen won 1-0. However, the two teams have two wins apiece in their last six games, with two encounters ending in a draw. 

Zulte Waregem vs KV Mechelen: Betting Tips & Odds

• Zulte Waregem and KV Mechelen's last three matches have ended in two wins for KV Mechelen. The visiting team seem to have the better squad heading into this game with topflight experience. While they are slightly favoured, they have a 2.14 odds of winning on 1Xbet.
• The meetings between Zulte Waregem and KV Mechelen have traditionally ended with goals. In their last eight matches, we witnessed at least three goals in six encounters. Over 2.5 goals have a 1.61 odds on Bet365.
• Also, the two teams have not struggled in front of goals and their past meetings also verifies this. Both teams' scoring option is available on Betway with odds at 1.55.
• Zulte Waregem were impressive in the Challenger Pro League finishing top of the standings. While this team also had a good preseason run, it will not be surprising if they go on to win this game. A win for the hosts is available on 1Xbet with odds at 3.22.

Zulte Waregem vs KV Mechelen Match Prediction 26 July 2025

Without a doubt, I expect the home team to pose a lot of threat and hunger for victory as they return to topflight. While KV Mechelen have also improved so well in recent times with a lot of offensive performances and all round play, being on the road against a Zulte Waregem side that had just finished top of the Challenge League will not be an easy task. However, this should be a statement return for this Zulte Waregem side who definitely are back to show what they can offer after enduring a season in league two. Yet, this should be an end to end game with KV Mechelen expected to bring their A-game especially in attack which they have thrived in recent times. Also, while Zulte Waregem have shown their readiness for the new season with a lot of promising victories in preseason matches, it is still tough to back them winning here as KV Mechelen are clearly favoured as the better team. Still, I feel a stalemate at full time should be enough to settle the scores at full time. 

Our match prediction is both teams to score and over 2.5 goals with odds at 1.86 on 1Xbet bookmaker. 

Our betting tip is a full time draw with odds at 3.60 on Bet365 bookmaker. 

Our final match prediction is a 2-2 correct score at full time with odds at 10.00 on Betway bookmaker.