Anderlecht vs Saint-Etienne: Preview and Prediction

Anderlecht vs Saint-Etienne
UEFA Europa League – Matchday 6
Date: Thursday, 8th December 2016,
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK
Venue: Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels.

Anderlecht and Saint-Etienne have qualified for the first knockout phase from Group C surpassing Mainz and FK Qabala. The teams are separated by 2 points which makes this clash interesting as both teams will be fighting out for the top spot in the group.

The Belgian outfit have won their two games in the group stage this season, scoring a total of 9 goals. They defeated Qabala 3-1, while the biggest win came against Mainz by a massive 6-1 margin on matchday 4. They are unbeaten in the 5 group games so far with 3 wins and 2 draws to their name.

Saint-Etienne have managed 2 wins and 3 draws from their 5 games so far. Their two wins came against Qabala, while they struggled to get past better European sides.

Anderlecht vs Saint-Etienne: Head-to-head stats

The teams played a 1-1 draw when they met on the matchday 2. Youri Tielemans broke the deadlock through a penalty in 62nd minute which was cancelled out by an injury time goal by Nolan Roux.

St Etienne’s only other match with a Belgian side was against Club Brugge during the 2008 Europa League group stage. The one-off match also ended in a 1-1 draw.

Anderlecht have met sides from French Ligue 1 on 21 occasions and managed 7 wins and 10 draws, while losing just 4 times. Their record at home in 10 matches is 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses.

Anderlecht vs Saint-Etienne: Prediction

Anderlecht are one of the top home teams in this season Europa League and they have a good record against teams from France. Moreover, they have lost only once in 12 home matches in all competitions, picking 9 wins during the period.

Saint-Etienne are not in particularly good form and they have won only once in their last 6 matches in all competitions. They have already drawn their two matches against Mainz and the first leg clash against Anderlecht. They do not need to win here as they have already qualified.

It is very likely that St-Etienne will sit back comfortably and defend with little intention in going to the attacking front. Therefore, goals will be at premium and if any side wins it will be by a lone goal.

Predicted Result is a 1-1 draw at 6/1 (7.00).