Beerschot v Oud Heverlee

Beerschot vs Oud-Heverlee Leuven Preview

Despite losing their last two games of last season's Challenger Pro League, Beerschot still secured automatic promotion from the Belgian second tier as they finished two points clear of runners-up Dender, thus also securing the second tier league title in the process, while OH Leuven finished in fourth place in a group of six teams vying for a place in the Conference League play-offs for this season.

Beerschot were dealt last minute losses at the hands of Beveren and Patro Eisden respectively in their final two games of last season but luckily for the hosts they had already made sure of promotion before then, thanks to winning their preceding four games on the trot.

Victories against Lierse, Zulte Waregem, Genk B and Oostende respectively had helped Dirk Kuijt's side over the line as his side made a relatively swift return back up into the Belgain top flight after a two-year absence.

Beerschot will therefore be keen to improve upon the results towards the end of their previous domestic top flight campaign this time around after being dealt eight defeats on the trot in their last season in the First Division A, and having lost just twice in their last nine games on home soil at their Olympisch Stadion, the hosts stand a good chance of producing a result in this season opener.

OH Leuven finished the regular First Division A campaign last term in 12th place and therefore the last of the Europa Conference League play-off positions but this was as close as the visitors came to European football for this season.

A final day 2-1 loss at home to Westerlo ended a pretty ordinary challenge for a place in the Conference League this term although the visitors did post back-to-back wins against the likes of Standard Liege and Gent towards the end of last season as well.

The bigger picture though shows OH Leuven managed to capture just five wins from their final 16 matches of the First Division A campaign which came in the form of victories gained over Mechelen, Gent (home and away), Sint-Truiden and Standard Liege but this period also includes six defeats as well.

It's worth noting that four of OH Leuven's five wins were registered on home soil at their King Power at Den Dreef Stadion, while three of their six losses were inflicted upon Oscar Garcia's side on their travels where the visitors claimed just two wins in their previous 16 outings on the road.

Beerschot v OH Leuven Verdict

Given OH Leuven's poor results away from home in the Belgian top flight, Saturday's hosts, Beerschot, look to have a decent chance of taking the spoils in this opening home game of the season, especially as the hosts have won the last four meetings on the trot at home against OH Leuven.

Therefore, our main bet will be Beerschot win @ 2.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Beerschot win & Under 2.5 goals @ 6.50

Correct Score: Beerschot 1-0 @ 10.00