Royal Antwerp rolls into preseason with serious momentum, while Patro Eisden is still hunting for a win. This is the classic mismatch energy you love to see in summer friendlies. 🔴

Antwerp grabbed a tidy 2-0 over Westerlo recently and are sitting at 1W-2D in their last five — mixed but trending up. Patro, meanwhile, have drawn three straight without a win and just got torched 4-0 by Sint-Truidense, so they'll be desperate to find some rhythm here.

Key storylines:

• Antwerp's attacking trio of Y. Hamdaoui, G. Vandeplas, and A. Valencia should have plenty of joy against a Patro backline that's been leaky all summer
• R. Nainggolan and S. Peeters will need to lock down midfield for Patro or Antwerp's press will run them ragged
• This is a golden chance for Patro to bag their first W, but the form gap is massive

Expected lineups:

• Royal Antwerp FC: T. B. Nozawa, E. Tuypens, R. V. Helden, G. Hairemans, C. Scott, X. Dierckx, J. Ahoka, Y. Hamdaoui, G. Vandeplas, A. Valencia
• Patro Eisden Maasmechelen: Gian Geladé, K. Borry, J. Renson, D. Prychynenko, A. Penin, S. Peeters, R. Nainggolan, K. Masangu, M. Robberechts, L. Rousseau

Prediction:

Antwerp 3-1 Patro — Antwerp's edge in form and firepower should be decisive. Patro will scrape a goal but won't have enough. ⚪