With boss Vítor Bruno still under pressure after a disappointing start to the season, Belgian heavyweights Anderlecht need a win against Austrian side Salzburg on matchday four of the UEFA Europa League (UEL).
Match News and Current Form
Anderlecht ended a six-game winless run in major European competition with a 3-0 victory over Jagiellonia on matchday three. And while their form is trending upwards given that they’ve lost just one of their last seven Belgian Pro League matches (W5, D1), a 4-0 thrashing at Gent recently put Bruno’s position back in jeopardy. He could go a long way to relieving further pressure by guiding Anderlecht to successive European wins for the first time since October 2024 here, and can take encouragement from losing just once at home since taking over in the summer (W7, D1).
Salzburg’s summer appointment Danny Röhl has enjoyed a brighter start to life in charge than Bruno, with Die Roten Bullen unbeaten in the Austrian Bundesliga (W8, D3). Röhl’s side are also unbeaten in five games across all competitions (W4, D1), though the sole blip in that sequence was bitterly disappointing, with a two-goal lead surrendered last time out in the UEL to draw 2-2 with Celje. That still pushed their points tally up to four (W1, D1, L1), all of which were earned on their travels, which is a stark contrast to last term’s UEL efforts when all four league phase away games ended in defeat!
Head-to-Head History
The only prior H2Hs came in a 1997 UEFA Cup tie in which both sides won their respective home legs, though Anderlecht prevailed 7-6 on aggregate.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Anderlecht have scored 2+ goals in nine of their last 12 European home matches.
Only four teams committed more fouls than Anderlecht (47) across the first three league phase matchdays.
Just two of Salzburg’s seven UEL matches this term saw both teams score.
Only four sides received more yellow cards than Salzburg (8) across the first three UEL matchdays.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Anderlecht goalkeeper Colin Coosemans has kept just three clean sheets in his 17 UEL main draw career appearances, although one came on matchday three and he made eight saves in Anderlecht’s previous European home fixture. Haris Tabaković will attempt to beat him here having scored six goals in Salzburg’s seven UEL games this term, the first five of which came after half-time.
Anderlecht don’t appear to have any fresh concerns, while Salzburg expect to be without John Mellberg, Jesper Lindstrøm and Sōta Kitano among others.
Betting Analysis
This looks a big game for both sides' qualification chances so the start could be cagey, making a half-time draw appear very viable.
Author: Ben Olawumi