Royal Antwerp vs Westerlo Prediction 23.05.2026 | Jupiler Pro League

Royal Antwerp head into the final matchweek of a deeply disappointing campaign in a state of transition, after the club hierarchy officially parted ways with Dutch manager Joseph Oosting following a disastrous run of three consecutive playoff defeats.

Currently languishing in fifth place in the Europe playoff standings with 28 points to their name, the Great Old will now be overseen by assistant coach Faris Haroun, who has been entrusted with restoring a sense of pride and stability ahead of what is expected to be a major squad rebuild during the summer window.

A catastrophic post-season collapse has severely destabilised the Red-Whites, with their fragile and alarmingly vulnerable defensive line conceding 16 goals across just nine playoff assignments, although even greater concern now surrounds their attacking struggles, having failed to score in over 360 minutes of football.

As for the team news, Bjorn Engels and Youssef Hamdaoui remain the only unavailable players heading into the final day of the season, though interim boss Haroun is still expected to field a strong lineup as Antwerp aim to close out a turbulent campaign on a positive note.

Meanwhile, KVC Westerlo make the trip to the port city occupying a respectable third place in the European playoff standings with 33 points collected, although their mathematical hopes of securing a continental qualification spot on the final day have already disappeared.

Their push towards the top of the group suffered a major setback in the previous playoff round, when De Kemphanen fell to a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Standard Liège, but their fading European ambitions have largely been self-inflicted, having managed to produce just one victory from their last five playoff assignments.

While Westerlo have struggled to consistently deliver in front of their own supporters, they have looked significantly more convincing on the road, emerging victorious in three of their previous four away matches, and that travelling form could provide encouragement as they aim to finish the campaign on a positive note.

On the injury front, left-back Dylan Ourega and forward Eliot Bujupi remain sidelined through injury, while head coach Issame Charai will also be unable to call upon Arthur Piedfort, who serves a suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards.