Anderlecht vs Royal Antwerp prediction 05.02.2026 | Belgian Cup

Back in November, Anderlecht looked like proper title contenders. After 16 games, Edward Still’s side were third, just five points off the top.

Fast forward to February and the picture feels less convincing. Thirteen points now separate Les Mauves et Blancs from first place, and there has been just one win in the last seven matches.

The recent 2-0 loss to Standard followed a dull goalless draw with Dender, so confidence is not exactly overflowing. Still, home form keeps hope alive. Eight wins and seven clean sheets from the last ten at Lotto Park is no small thing.

Nilson Angulo is available despite sealing a £17.5m move to Sunderland on deadline day. His expected absence could push Mihajlo Cvetković into a starting role alongside Danylo Sikan and Nathan De Cat.

Thorgan Hazard remains key from midfield, already on six goals and four assists. César Huerta, Mario Stroeykens and Ludwig Augustinsson are sidelined.

Antwerp may sit below Anderlecht, but recent form tells a different story. The Great Old have lost just two of their last ten matches in all competitions, winning six of the others.

Those defeats, against Dender and Charleroi last month, now feel like a blip. Since then, Oosting’s side have responded with back-to-back wins, scoring six and conceding none.

Away from home, Antwerp have been reliable too. Three wins from the last four trips, plus avoiding defeat in their last two visits to Lotto Park, suggests comfort in this setting.

Kiki Kouyaté is ruled out after limping off early against Cercle Brugge. Anthony Valencia is the likely replacement after an impressive cameo, and Oosting seems otherwise content to stick with a settled XI.