Prediction: Anderlecht vs Hammarby

In what could prove to be a nail-biting Europa League qualifying showdown on Thursday night, Anderlecht will welcome Hammarby to Belgium for their second-leg meeting.

With Europe’s elite set to make their respective returns next month, there are plenty of attractive betting promotions available this summer.

Anderlecht

Starting with the hosts, suffering the most frustrating of last-gasp heartbreak over in Sweden last week as they were eventually forced to settle for a first-leg 1-1 stalemate, Anderlecht know the importance of immediate dusting themselves down. Missing out on the chance to claim an early advantage on foreign soil, Vitor Bruno’s men will be excited to make a return to Lotto Park on Thursday night. However, despite being installed as a standout contender in midweek, the Belgium giants are desperately searching for some crucial defensive grit. Signing off the 2025/26 campaign with a nightmare 5-1 drumming against bitter domestic foes Royale Union on May 24th, Anderlecht have remarkably failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 17 consecutive appearances across all competitions on either side of the summer interval.

Shown a second-half red card away in Sweden last week, Anderlecht will be unable to call upon Canadian international Nathan Saliba on Thursday night. Opening his Europa League account on foreign soil, former Trabzonspor striker Danylo Sikan will lead the line here.

Completing a permanent switch from Spanish outfit Elche this summer, French defender Leo Petrot will start at the back. Spending last season on loan with Schalke, Moussa N’Diaye could get some more minutes under his belt.

Hammarby

As for the visitors, snatching a thrilling late equaliser in Stockholm last week, Hammarby could be smelling the chance to claim a real Europa League qualifying scalp here. While Henrik Rydstrom’s men might have entered the summer interval in the midst of a public rut, HIF have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Marking their return from the World Cup break with a 2-1 victory away at domestic foes Elfsborg, Hammarby are unbeaten in their previous five appearances across all competitions. However, eventually forced to settle for another 1-1 stalemate against Brommapojkarna over the weekend, Thursday’s guests have struggled to find much stability on their travels. In fact, Rydstrom’s side have mustered just a pair of wins from any of their previous eight competitive matchups outside of Stockholm.

Coming off the bench and bagging a spectacular first-leg equaliser in Stockholm last week just moments after coming on, Ghanian youngster Frank Adjei could feature from the start.

Still sidelined with a long-term knee injury and not featuring across any competition since the start of April, Ivory Coast youngster Sourou Kone will once again miss out here. One-time Norwich City starlet Waylon Renecke will start at left-back.

Anderlecht vs Hammarby Key Factors to Consider

• When Anderlecht and Hammarby met for their first-leg showdown last week, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Stockholm.
• Anderlecht have remarkably failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 17 consecutive appearances across all competitions on either side of the summer interval.
• Hammarby have won just a pair of wins from any of their previous eight competitive matchups outside of Stockholm.
• Thursday’s guests have recorded just a sole clean sheet on their travels over the past 11 months.
• Anderlecht have mustered just a sole clean sheet in front of their own supporters since the middle of February.

Suffering major last-gasp heartbreak in Stockholm last week as they missed out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage, Anderlecht have plenty of expectation on their shoulders here. Gaining an unwanted reputation for their glaring defensive issues and remarkably failing to muster a single clean sheet from their previous 17 consecutive appearances, Thursday’s hosts could be asked more questions here. It should also be noted, with Hammarby claiming just a sole clean sheet on their travels over the past 11 months, we could be treated to an enjoyable Europa League qualifying battle.

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