KV Mechelen vs AS Eupen - Cup

The history between KV Mechelen and AS Eupen lends this Cup fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on October 18, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. He is expected to miss the Community Shield game against Arsenal and the opening Premier League fixture of the season as a result.

There is plenty riding on this Cup encounter for KV Mechelen and AS Eupen alike, and neither will want to leave the home ground empty-handed. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Tim Sherwood makes his predictions for the new Premier League season, including who he thinks will make the top four in the table.

Set-piece efficiency could prove the difference on the night. Both KV Mechelen and AS Eupen have invested time in dead-ball situations this season, and a single corner or free-kick may settle it. Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about how he plans to change Liverpool when speaking in his opening press conference.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. The club are making progress in their efforts to sign the Lille midfielder, who will arrive regardless of any departures.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.