Alex MacQuoid
Leuven face Antwerp at Den Dreef Stadium in Heverlee as the Conference League phase of the Belgian Pro League nears its conclusion. The stakes for both teams couldn’t be higher, with Leuven desperate to salvage some pride after a bruising campaign and Antwerp still chasing mathematical hope for a higher finish. While Leuven’s winless streak looms over their heads, Antwerp’s inconsistency keeps punters cautious. The tactical duel between Felice Mazzù and Joseph Oosting is intriguing, especially given the last encounter, where Antwerp emerged with a clean sheet. Christopher Scott’s recent goal contributions for Antwerp and the relentless running of Henok Teklab for Leuven could shape key moments in a match where neither side trusts their own defense completely.
Hot stat: Antwerp fired off a staggering 112 shots in their last 5 matches, more than double Leuven’s total.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Pro League 2025/26 Conference League |
| 🏟 Venue: | Den Dreef Stadium, Heverlee |
| 🗓️ Date: | 15.05.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 20:45 CEST |
Leuven vs Antwerp prediction
We think this match tilts toward Antwerp. Their sharper attack and Leuven’s defensive vulnerability make the away win the best value, especially since Leuven haven’t tasted victory in their last 6 matches. Antwerp may not set the league alight, but their firepower—ten goals in their last five—is hard to ignore against a Leuven defense conceding regularly. Leuven’s struggles to string passes together (73% accuracy vs Antwerp’s 91%) suggest they could be outplayed in midfield.
The foul and card counts point to a scrappy contest: Leuven racked up 17 fouls and 12 yellows in their last five, Antwerp with 30 fouls and 12 yellows. Neither side manages discipline well. Expect interruptions, heated duels, and maybe a red card flash if tempers boil. Antwerp’s higher possession and passing accuracy should eventually grind down the hosts, even if Leuven get physical to disrupt their rhythm.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Antwerp to win & Over 2.5 Goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Leuven, winless in their last 6, just fell 1-2 to Standard Liege at home. A quick look at their past results shows a pattern: too many goals conceded, not enough threat up front. In the 3-3 draw with Westerlo, they showed flashes of resilience but gave up leads twice, highlighting defensive fragility. Even at home, the fans don’t see many victories. A lack of creativity in midfield—Mathieu Maertens and Siebe Schrijvers both goalless and assist-less recently—leaves forwards isolated.
Antwerp come off a frustrating 0-1 home defeat to Charleroi, but their form line is a rollercoaster. They thumped Westerlo 4-2, then collapsed 0-5 to Standard Liege, a result that rattled confidence. Even so, their aggressive forward play—Vincent Janssen and Christopher Scott combining for 5 goals in the last five—keeps them dangerous. They’re prone to lapses, and their 3-4-2-1 formation sometimes leaves gaps at the back, but their willingness to shoot and push numbers forward is relentless.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Leuven | Antwerp |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 10 |
| Total shots | 48 | 112 |
| Free kicks | 17 | 30 |
| Corner kicks | 26 | 44 |
| Total fouls | 17 | 30 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 73 | 91 |
| Interceptions | 60 | 49 |
| Offsides | 1 | 3 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Leuven vs Antwerp stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Antwerp the favourite
- Moneyline Leuven 2.80 | Antwerp 2.47
- Draw 3.47
- Over/Under Over 2.5 2.02 | Under 2.5 1.80
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.70 | No 2.05
Antwerp take slight favoritism from the books—makes sense, given Leuven’s collapse in form. Odds on the away win have value, with Antwerp’s attack a real threat against Leuven’s leaky defense. Goals look likely, and the BTTS market leans toward “yes” with both teams showing defensive lapses and attacking intent. Draw is long, but the win/over 2.5 combo draws interest for punters seeking bigger returns.
Possible Starting Lineups
Leuven possible starting eleven
- GK: Tobe Leysen
- DF: Ewoud Pletinckx, Roggerio Nyakossi, Takuma Ominami
- MF: Mathieu Maertens, Siebe Schrijvers, Lukasz Lakomy, Youssef Maziz
- FW: Henok Teklab, Sory Kaba, Kyan Vaesen
Leysen’s been the constant in goal. At the back, Pletinckx and Nyakossi rarely miss a minute—Ominami edges into the XI for stability. Maertens, Schrijvers, and Lakomy handle the engine room, tasked with breaking up play and moving the ball, while Maziz might inject a bit of forward thrust. Teklab, Kaba, and Vaesen are the front three most likely to start, with Teklab’s work rate and Vaesen’s recent goal threat giving Leuven a puncher’s chance. Leuven should stick to their recent 3-4-2-1 shape, though tweaks may appear if chasing the game.
Antwerp possible starting eleven
- GK: Taishi Brandon Nozawa
- DF: Zeno Van Den Bosch, Daam Foulon, Yuto Tsunashima
- MF: Dennis Praet, Farouck Adekami, Anthony Valencia, Xander Dierckx
- FW: Christopher Scott, Gyrano Kerk, Vincent Janssen
Nozawa holds the gloves again. The back three of Van Den Bosch, Foulon, and Tsunashima looks most probable based on recent selections. Praet and Adekami marshal the midfield, flanked by Valencia and Dierckx—both energetic and able to transition quickly. Up front, Scott is in scoring form, Kerk adds pace and unpredictability, and Janssen leads the line with physicality and experience. Antwerp almost certainly line up in their favored 3-4-2-1, which should exploit Leuven’s vulnerable midfield.
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Antwerp. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
TipsGG Match Prediction
This feels like Antwerp’s match to lose, honestly. Leuven look lost—leaky at the back, blunt going forward. Antwerp have flaws, but their attack is humming, and TipsGG punters don’t see Leuven snapping out of their funk here. Expect goals, cards, and a fiery contest with Antwerp edging it, maybe 2-1 or 3-1, if Leuven’s heads drop early. The best bet? Antwerp to win and over 2.5 goals lands more often than not in these scenarios.
