- Hammarby IF are unbeaten in three games and have played better in their last two Allsvenskan wins over IF Elfsberg and Kalmar FF.
- RSC Anderlecht are in indifferent form with only two wins, three draws and five defeats from their last ten in all competitions.
- Anderlecht are still seeking their first away win in all competitions, with one draw and three defeats in their four away fixtures to date.
Hammarby and Anderlecht look to have contrasting styles
Hammarby IF have played some good football in the last few weeks and arrive at 3Arena in pretty good nick to take on Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht on Thursday. Henrik Rydstroem has been at the Swedish club since June and has instilled a very different approach to the side, which is now more compact and pragmatic.
This has the makings of an interesting style clash with Anderlecht, who have been very possession-based under Vitor Bruno since 1st July 2026. The Portuguese coach's philosophy is to get the ball back as high up the pitch as possible when it is lost and then build up to hurt the opposition.
Danylo Sikan has been the only real finisher for the Mauves in recent weeks, scoring three of their nine goals in the past five matches, and Anderlecht will hope he can again get enough service to be a problem for Hammarby's defence.
Home bite can give Hammarby a chance to surprise
Paulos Abraham gives Hammarby a bit of a fox in the box when these sides meet and he could be the catalyst for a home win if this game ever gets stretched. The Swedish side are scoring on average 2.50 goals per game at home and conceding just 0.75 while Anderlecht have shipped 11 goals in their past four away games in all competitions.
This should be a tight European fixture, but Hammarby's home bite and Anderlecht's shaky away form, means the Swedes can be backed as a bit of an upset shout at 19/10. The draw is 9/4 and the Belgians are 7/5 favourites.
Both teams to score - yes at 18/25 and Over 2.5 goals - yes at 19/20 make more sense than the draw in this spot as the Anderlecht players tend to have a goal in them, but Hammarby can provide enough counter-attacking punch to keep this lively.
