Anderlecht vs Hoffenheim prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-29 20:00.
[p]Having lost just one of their seven games (W4, D2) in this league phase of the UEFA Europa League (UEL), Anderlecht are well-placed to reach the knockouts of Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since the 2016/17 season. Heading into this final round of fixtures, they sit seventh with at least a play-off place already guaranteed, and victory here would cement automatic progression into the last 16.[/p]
[p]The only defeat so far in this UEL campaign for the Belgian outfit actually came last week at Plzeň (2-0), but that shouldn’t take too much shine off the form of David Hubert’s side in 2025 so far across all competitions (W4, L2). Including qualifiers, the home side have also won five of their last eight European games on home soil (D3) and could now extend their unbeaten run to nine such games for the first time since 2004. [/p]
[p]Bundesliga strugglers Hoffenheim make the trip to Belgium needing a win to stand any chance of qualifying. Sat three points outside the top 24 pre-round, the German outfit have won just one of their six games in the competition this season (D3, L3) and that sole victory came back in October on matchday two! Even a win might not prove enough given their inferior goal difference, having been kept scoreless three times in the UEL this term.[/p]
[p]Perhaps a positive omen for Christian Ilzer’s side is that Hoffenheim have won both of their previous matches against Belgian opponents. Yet it can’t be ignored that they have tasted victory just once so far in 2025 (D1, L3) and look in real danger of becoming the first German club to be eliminated at the group stage/league phase of the UEL since Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2019/20.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Six of Yari Verschaeren’s nine goal involvements across all competitions this season (G5, A4) have come in the first half, while all four of teenager Max Moerstedt’s bookings for Hoffenheim this season have been picked up in the second half and after coming off the bench.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only two sides have taken more corners in the UEL league phase than Hoffenheim (45). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]