Prediction: Anderlecht to win 2-0
Best Odds: 6/1
Anderlecht and BK Hacken will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Europa League qualifying this week. The first leg of the second qualifying round tie between the Belgian Pro League club and the Allsvenskan outfit will be held at the RSC Anderlecht Stadium in Brussels and is scheduled to kick off at 7pm UK time on Thursday.
Anderlecht
Anderlecht are one of the biggest clubs in Belgium who regularly feature in European competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League. The Purple & White, though, endured a tough 2024-25 season and finished as low as fourth in the Belgian Pro League.
This means that Anderlecht, who are the most succesful Belgian club in European competitions with five trophies, will have to settle for a place in the UEFA Europa League, and that too if they are to successfully negotiate the qualifying rounds.
Anderlecht, though, need to step up their game BK Hacken if they are to progress to the next round. That is because they have not had any competitive action since the end of last season and have played only friendly games in the past four weeks, winning three of them and drawing twice.
Team News:
Anderlecht are likely to line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation against BK Hacken. Coosemans will be the goalkeeper for the Belgian club. Camara, Simic, Hey and N’Diaye will be the four defenders. Llansana will be the holding midfielder. Angulo, Stroeykens, Verschaeren and Hazard will be the four attacking midfielders. Dolberg will lead the line for Anderlecht.
BK Hacken
BK Hacken are a modest Swedish club who are not expected to challenge for the league title. The Wasps finished eighth in the 2024 Allsvenskan and now stand a chance of playing in the UEFA Europa League.
The Swedish club defeated Slovakian side Spartak Trnava in the first qualifying round, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. Winning against Anderlecht in the second qualifying round is going to be more difficult, but Jens Gustafsson’s side will feel that they have an advantage because they have been playing competitive football for a fair few months.
The 2025 Allsvenskan campaign started in late March. BK Hacken – who won the 2024–25 Svenska Cupen, which is why they are in the UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign – are down in eighth place with 22 points from 16 matches, 10 points behind third-placed AIK.
Team News:
BK Hacken will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Anderlecht. Berisha will be in goal and will have Hilvenius, Andersen, Lode and Lindqvist in front of him in defence. Holm and Gustafson will be the two holding midfielders. Lindberg, Svanback and Ngabo will be deployed in attacking midfield. Hrstic will lead the line for BK Hacken.
Key Factors to Consider
- Anderlecht have lost 4 of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Anderlecht have lost 3 of their last 10 UEFA Europa League matches.
- In six of Anderlecht’s last 10 matches in all competitions, at least one team did not score.
- BK Hacken have won 4 of their last 10 games in all competitions.
- BK Hacken have one of their last 2 UEFA Europa League games.
Conclusion
While BK Hacken have a good team, Anderlecht are hugely experienced at this level and should be able to win the first leg, especially as it will be played in front of their fans.
Prediction: Salzburg to win 2-0
Best Odds: 10/1
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
