Anderlecht are rolling. They opened the Belgian Pro League campaign with a 2-1 win over RAAL La Louvière, and that result tells you everything about their current mood — they find a way, even when the opposition digs in. That competitive edge is exactly what you want from a side expected to dominate possession and create chances. They've also got European football on the mind, with a Europa League qualifier against PAOK just days before this league fixture — a 1-0 win in Thessaloniki in the first leg shows they can grind out results on the road, and that defensive solidity travels well.

Waasland-Beveren, on the other hand, are the great unknown here. They're a lower-tier side, and while they'll be buzzing to host one of Belgium's giants at their own ground, there's no recent form to suggest they can live with Anderlecht's quality. The gap in class is stark. Anderlecht are the most successful club in Belgian football, and they carry that swagger into every match. Momentum is firmly with the visitors — they've won their recent competitive games, and they're building a rhythm that should overwhelm a side like Waasland-Beveren.