Anderlecht lost a couple of important players this summer and they are out of competitive action unlike the opposition. Hammarby are the strongest home team in Sweden and I am backing them to win the first leg.
Key Stats
- Hammarby have won 4 of their last 5 home matches.
- Anderlecht have lost 4 of their last 6 away matches (Pro League).
No Previous Meetings
This is going to be the first head to head match between Hammarby and Anderlecht.
Hammarby Strong at Home
Hammarby had a couple of setbacks just before the summer break in Allsvenskan, losing to AIK 2-1 and Hacken 3-2 which resulted in appointing Henrik Rydstrom as the new head manager.
Their performances and results have improved drastically since, claiming three straight victories against Elfsborg 2-1, Kalmar 2-0 and most recently Degerfors 4-0. Montader Madjed and Paulos Abraham scored three goals each during this stretch.
Hammarby made big progress in the Allsvenskan standings with mentioned wins, moving up to second place with 26 points after 14 rounds.
Anderlecht Under New Leadership
Like their upcoming opponents, Anderlecht also had managerial change recently, Jeremy Taravel being replaced with Vitor Bruno in late June.
Their pre-season results were quite solid, starting with a goalless draw against Boulogne, then winning three in a row against Dunkerque 2-1, NEC Nijmegen 3-2 and AZ Alkmaar 1-0.
Anderlecht barely finished 4th in the Belgian Pro League last season, 24 points behind the champions Club Brugge, while also losing the national cup finals to Union St Gilloise 3-1.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Hammarby (4-2-3-1) Warner Hahn; Hampus Skoglund, Adama Fofana, Frederik Winther, Dennis Persson; Oscar Johansson Schellhas, Markus Karlsson; Montader Madjed, Nahir Besara, Victor Lind; Paulos Abraham
Sourou Kone is ruled out for the home team due to a serious knee injury.
Sourou Kone is ruled out for the home team due to a serious knee injury.
Anderlecht (4-3-3) Colin Coosemans; Basile Vroninks, Giulian Biancone, Leo Petrot, Ludwig Augustinsson; Enric Llansana, Marco Kana, Lukas Ambros; Gonzalo Ojea, Gaby Onia Seke, Danylo Sikan
Mario Stroeykens has some minor thigh problems, currently tagged as doubtful.
Mario Stroeykens has some minor thigh problems, currently tagged as doubtful.