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In the Belgian First Division A, Westerlo will face St. Truiden at Het Kuipje on Friday, 6 February. This fixture is crucial as both sides are eager to climb the league table, with Westerlo hoping to make the most of their home advantage. The familiar surroundings of Het Kuipje could provide Westerlo with the edge they need to secure a valuable win in front of their supporters.
St. Truiden, meanwhile, will be determined to upset Westerlo’s plans and claim important points on the road. Both teams have shown competitive form in recent matches, making this encounter an intriguing prospect for fans and punters alike. With league positions at stake, this contest promises to be a closely fought battle between two ambitious teams.
| Betting Tip | Odds |
|---|---|
| KVC Westerlo Draw No Bet | 1.95 |
Given the recent form and the challenges posed by injuries and suspensions, our recommended bet is ‘Westerlo Draw No Bet’. This option offers a safety net in the event of a draw, reflecting the fine margins between these two sides.
In this Belgian First Division A fixture, Westerlo are slight favourites at home with odds of 2.55, while St. Truiden are close behind at 2.53. The draw is priced at 3.48, highlighting how evenly matched the teams are at Het Kuipje.
| Betting Tip | Odds |
|---|---|
| Westerlo to Win | 2.55 |
| Draw | 3.48 |
| St. Truiden to Win | 2.53 |
For those interested in betting, the odds suggest a tight affair, making the draw a tempting option. Additionally, given both sides’ recent form, the over 2.5 goals market could also be worth considering.
Westerlo have endured a challenging spell in recent matches, recording just one win, two draws, and two defeats in their last five outings. Their latest victory was a narrow 1-0 away win at Zulte Waregem, demonstrating their capacity to grind out results under pressure.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zulte Waregem | Westerlo | 0 – 1 (Win) | Jupiler League | 31 Jan 2026 |
| KV Mechelen | Westerlo | 1 – 1 (Draw) | Jupiler League | 25 Jan 2026 |
| Westerlo | Cercle Bruges | 0 – 2 (Loss) | Jupiler League | 17 Jan 2026 |
| Westerlo | Istanbul Basaksehir | 1 – 1 (Draw) | Club Friendlies | 9 Jan 2026 |
Recent Form:
Looking at Westerlo’s recent performances, they have averaged 0.60 goals scored and 1.20 goals conceded per game over their last five matches. The defence has struggled, conceding in four of those games, and they have managed just one clean sheet. Offensively, the team relies heavily on top scorer Nacho Ferri, who has netted seven times this season.
Despite recent struggles, Westerlo have shown some resilience at home, winning two of their last five matches at Het Kuipje. However, their home win ratio stands at just 40%, mirroring their overall league win rate. This highlights the need for tactical tweaks to strengthen both their defensive solidity and attacking output.
Westerlo are dealing with several injury concerns ahead of their match against St. Truiden. Key players such as Bakary Haidara, Reda Laalaoui, and Seiji Kimura are all doubtful, which could affect both midfield and defensive options. Haidara and Laalaoui are uncertain due to unspecified injuries, while Kimura is struggling with a groin problem. Enis Destan is ruled out until mid-March with a medial collateral ligament injury, which is a significant blow to the team’s attacking depth.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Bakary Haidara | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Reda Laalaoui | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Seiji Kimura | Groin injury | Doubtful |
| Enis Destan | Medial Collateral Ligament injury | Mid March 2026 |
The absence of these players may force coach Issame Charai to look for alternative solutions within the squad. With several key figures missing, players like Dylan Ourega and Roman Neustädter may need to step up defensively, while Josimar Alcócer and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh could take on greater responsibility in midfield. The tactical impact will be most noticeable in how Westerlo manage transitions and maintain defensive stability.
From a betting perspective, these injuries could slightly tip the balance in favour of St. Truiden, as Westerlo’s squad depth is tested. The team’s ability to adapt will be crucial in determining the outcome, with the match dynamics potentially shifting significantly depending on who is available.
Nacho Ferri is Westerlo’s leading scorer, having found the net seven times this season. His consistent goal threat makes him a central figure in their attacking plans against St. Truiden. Ferri’s intelligent movement and finishing will be vital for Westerlo’s chances.
In midfield, Dogucan Haspolat is the creative hub, linking defence and attack with his vision and passing. He can unlock opposition defences and create chances for forwards such as Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Josimar Alcócer. At the back, Roman Neustädter’s experience and leadership are crucial for maintaining defensive organisation.
Expected lineup for Westerlo
Westerlo’s tactical approach will revolve around these key players, with Ferri spearheading the attack and a dynamic midfield supporting him. The blend of Haspolat’s creativity and Neustädter’s defensive nous could be decisive in shaping the match. The team’s strength lies in their ability to transition quickly from defence to attack, making full use of their key players’ abilities.
Westerlo Tactical Breakdown:
Westerlo are likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under coach Issame Charai, providing a balance between defensive solidity and attacking flexibility. Dogucan Haspolat and Arthur Piedfort are expected to anchor the midfield, offering protection for the defence and linking play to the attack.
At the back, the quartet of Dylan Ourega, Roman Neustädter, Amando Lapage, and Shunsuke Saito will aim to keep things tight, having managed just one clean sheet in their last five matches. Their ability to withstand pressure will be key against St. Truiden.
In attack, Westerlo rely on the creativity of Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Josimar Alcócer out wide, with Nacho Ferri leading the line. Ferri’s seven goals this season underline his importance, especially when exploiting spaces behind the opposition defence.
St. Truiden arrive in this fixture sitting second in the league with 45 points. Their recent form has been impressive, with four wins from their last five matches, although they suffered a setback in their most recent game, losing 0-2 at home to Sporting Charleroi. That defeat ended a four-match winning run and highlighted a vulnerability when they fail to score.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St.Truiden | Sporting Charleroi | 0 – 2 (Loss) | Jupiler League | 31 Jan 2026 |
| RAAL La Louviere | St.Truiden | 1 – 2 (Win) | Jupiler League | 24 Jan 2026 |
| St.Truiden | OH Leuven | 1 – 0 (Win) | Jupiler League | 18 Jan 2026 |
| Standard Liege | St.Truiden | 1 – 2 (Win) | Jupiler League | 26 Dec 2025 |
| St.Truiden | KV Mechelen | 1 – 0 (Win) | Jupiler League | 21 Dec 2025 |
Recent Form:
Over their last five games, St. Truiden have averaged 1.20 goals per match, scoring in four of those fixtures. Defensively, they have kept two clean sheets and conceded an average of 0.80 goals per game. Away from home, they have won three of their last five, showing solid form on the road with a 60% win rate. However, they have conceded in three of those away games, indicating some defensive inconsistency.
Keisuke Goto, the team’s top scorer with eight goals, is a key component of St. Truiden’s attack, providing both goals and creativity. However, the team will need to address occasional lapses at the back, as seen in their recent defeat, if they are to maintain their strong league position. Keeping more clean sheets will be vital for continued success.
St. Truiden have a minor setback with the suspension of Arbnor Muja following a red card. His absence in midfield could disrupt the team’s balance and creativity, as Muja has played a key role in linking defence and attack. The team will need to fill this gap either through a tactical reshuffle or by bringing in a direct replacement.
| Player | Suspension | Matches Remaining | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arbnor Muja | Red card | 1 | Unknown |
Coach Wouter Vrancken may consider adjusting the midfield, perhaps pushing Rihito Yamamoto into a more advanced role or introducing Ilias Sebaoui for added dynamism. These changes will be important to maintain St. Truiden’s competitive edge against Westerlo.
With no injuries reported, St. Truiden’s squad is otherwise at full strength. This gives them valuable flexibility to adapt to Muja’s suspension, and the availability of all other key players could provide a significant advantage in maintaining their tactical approach.
St. Truiden’s attacking threat is led by Keisuke Goto, the team’s top scorer with eight goals this season. Goto’s clinical finishing and ability to exploit space make him a constant danger to the Westerlo defence. His partnership with Ilias Sebaoui, who brings creativity and flair from the wing, will be key to unlocking the opposition backline.
In midfield, Ryotaro Ito acts as the playmaker, using his vision and passing to transition the ball from defence to attack and dictate the tempo. Abdoulaye Sissako provides defensive cover, breaking up play and protecting the back four.
Expected lineup for St. Truiden
At the back, the central defensive pairing of Shogo Taniguchi and Visar Musliu offers reliability and experience, which will be vital for maintaining a solid defensive structure. Their reading of the game and timely interventions could be decisive in neutralising Westerlo’s attacking threats. Overall, these key players form the backbone of St. Truiden’s tactical strategy, combining defensive resilience with attacking flair.
St. Truiden Tactical Breakdown:
St. Truiden’s 4-2-3-1 formation is designed to maximise possession and control in midfield. With Rihito Yamamoto and Abdoulaye Sissako anchoring the centre, they provide a balance of defensive cover and attacking support. Ryotaro Ito plays a pivotal role linking midfield to forward Keisuke Goto, who leads the scoring charts with eight goals.
Defensively, the backline led by Shogo Taniguchi and Visar Musliu has generally been solid, although the team has conceded in three of their last five matches. Full-backs Robert-Jan Vanwesemael and Taiga Hata are important for both defensive duties and supporting attacks down the flanks.
In attack, St. Truiden focus on maintaining possession and stretching the opposition by using the width of the pitch. This approach creates space for creative players like Ilias Sebaoui to supply Goto, who thrives on quick, incisive passes.
In their head-to-head history, Westerlo have the advantage with 24 wins compared to St. Truiden’s 17, along with 9 draws. Their most recent meeting saw Westerlo claim a 3-0 away victory in the Belgian Pro League, underlining their recent dominance.
The last time Westerlo hosted St. Truiden, they suffered a 1-3 defeat in a friendly in July 2025. However, in competitive league matches, Westerlo have generally been more consistent at home and have often managed to score.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St.Truiden | Westerlo | 0 – 3 | Belgian Pro League | 2025-09-14 |
| Westerlo | St.Truiden | 1 – 3 | Club Friendlies | 2025-07-05 |
| Westerlo | St.Truiden | 1 – 2 | Belgian Pro League | 2025-01-11 |
| St.Truiden | Westerlo | 2 – 0 | Belgian Pro League | 2024-10-26 |
| Westerlo | St.Truiden | 2 – 2 | Belgian Pro League Playoff ECL Group | 2024-05-03 |