Royale Union SG vs Toulouse prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-09-20 16:45.
After making their UEFA Europa League (UEL) debut last season, Royale Union SG are back again after eliminating Lugano by an aggregate 3-0 scoreline in their qualification play-off. The beginning of their domestic league campaign hasn’t been quite as fruitful as one may expect after their third-placed finish last season (W3, D1, L2), yet UEL hopes remain high after a stunning run to the quarter-finals last term.
Playing at home is usually a boon for any team, but it’s not a privilege Royale Union can enjoy as their 9,400-capacity Joseph Marien Stadium does not meet UEFA regulations. As such, they must make the short trip to Anderlecht’s Lotto Park for this UEL “home” fixture. Between here and Den Dreef Stadium, which they used as a home away from home last season, Royale Union possess a 50% win-rate in UEL action (W3, D1, L2) whilst conceding 1.67 goals per match on average.
Trying to lower that success rate will be Toulouse, who returned to Ligue 1 action just last season and made it here by virtue of their rather fortuitous Coupe de France win. The French outfit had to defeat just two top-flight sides (Reims and Nantes) en route to their first piece of major silverware. It consequently secured Toulouse’s first European adventure since 2009/10, when they shared a UEL group with Belgian opponents, failing to win twice against Club Brugge (D1, L1).
With no real recent European pedigree to speak of, Toulouse will hope their respectable current ten-game form away from their home stadium (W6, D3, L1) will be enough to buoy them ahead of this continental jaunt. Considered in markets as a direct competitor with Royale to join group favourites Liverpool in the knockout stages, the points up for grabs in their two games with the Belgians are likely to be pivotal.
Players to watch: Royale Union’s Dennis Eckert Ayensa is enjoying the form of his life of late, helping to set the pace with five Belgian Pro League goals as part of a run of six scoring competitive appearances across his last eight games. Toulouse must attribute some of their success to Thijs Dallinga, whose imperious return of six goals in as many Coupe de France appearances last season helped propel them to this competition for the first time in 14 years.
Hot streak: All eight of Royale Union’s competitive matches this season produced at least one first-half goal.