BRUSSELS (Interstat) — Anderlecht hosts Mechelen on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in a Belgian First Division A matchup that pits one of the league’s recent head-to-head dominators against a side struggling to find consistency.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Anderlecht to win, 2-1.

Anderlecht (1-1-1 in its last three matches) enters the game after a 1-1 draw at Gent on May 10. Prior to that, the team lost back-to-back home games against Club Brugge (3-1 on May 3) and Union St.-Gilloise (3-1 on Apr. 26). A 2-0 loss at Sint-Truiden on Apr. 23 followed, giving Anderlecht one win in its last four matches: a 2-1 victory at Mechelen on Apr. 18.

Overall this season, Anderlecht has shown ability on offense, including a 5-1 romp at Sporting Oud-Heverlee on Feb. 28 and a 4-2 win at Zultearegem on Feb. 22. However, the defense allowed four goals in a 4-2 loss at Club Brugge on Apr. 6 and has struggled to keep opponents off the board.

Mechelen (1-0-2 in its last three) comes off a 3-0 loss at Union St.-Gilloise on May 10. A bright spot was a 1-0 win at Gent on May 3, but that followed a 4-1 loss at Sint-Truiden on Apr. 26 and a 6-1 defeat at Club Brugge on Apr. 22. The team’s only win in its last seven matches came against Gent.

Mechelen’s results have been mixed this season. It earned a 2-2 draw at Sporting Oud-Heverlee on Feb. 1 and a 1-1 draw at Westerlo on Jan. 25. But it also lost to Anderlecht twice.

Anderlecht has beaten Mechelen in both meetings this season: 3-1 at home on Nov. 1, 2025, and 2-1 on the road Apr. 18. The home win was part of a six-game unbeaten streak for Anderlecht against Mechelen in league play.