- Anderlecht are on a run of 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in their last 5 matches.
- Hammarby have won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5, so they're flying.
Europa League Qualification 2026 - a tight battle
RSC Anderlecht and Hammarby IF drew 1-1 in Sweden last week so this return leg at Lotto Park is a finely poised affair on a knife-edge. Anderlecht are the slight favourites in Belgium, but Hammarby's form suggests that they'll have enough about them to make a real game of it on Thursday.
Vítor Bruno has been at the helm of Anderlecht since 1st July 2026 and his side have been pressing high, looking to win the second balls and exploit vertical transitions. RSC are normally a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 side, but the style of play is a little more chaotic with Bruno in charge, which should suit some of the players in the team. They were held 0-0 by Boulogne at home before beating NEC Nijmegen 3-2 and then drawing 1-1 with Hammarby in the first leg last week.
Henrik Rydstroem has had a similar amount of time at Hammarby, who he took over on 6 June 2026, and his team have been much more structured so far. They generally play a 4-2-3-1 or three-at-the-back system with overloads in wide areas and late attacking surges. Hammarby like to pressure teams and create width in the final third, while Anderlecht's vertical transitions and high tempo pressing is a complete contrast.
Hammarby can hurt the hosts
The styles do clash here, but the visitors are in such good form that we're keen to go against the grain in this one. Anderlecht are 2.08 favourites for Thursday's game, with Hammarby 3.16 and the draw 3.6. The hosts are our selection, but at a shade of odds-on, this doesn't feel like a game for the bookies and it would be foolish to ignore the value on the visitors.
Across all competitions, Anderlecht are 2-2-2 in their 6 home matches, so it hasn't been a fortress for the Purple and White, while Hammarby have won 2 and lost 2 of their 4 away games, but their average of 2.00 goals per game away from home is a good return.
Over 2.5 goals is 1.78 and both teams to score is 1.65, so we're likely to see a lively clash with chances at both ends, and the most likely outcome is for Anderlecht to nick it. Danylo Sikan has 1 goal in 1 match in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026, and he's 4 in Anderlecht's last 8 in all competitions, while Frank Junior Adjei has 1 goal in 1 match in the UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026.
