Anderlecht vs Villarreal prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-08 17:45.
Thirty-four-time Belgian Pro League champions Anderlecht made the most of their first springtime European football in six seasons by eliminating Ludogorets at home via penalties, one of two clubs from their country (alongside Gent) to advance to the UEFA Europa Conference League’s (UECL) Round of 16 in such a manner. For their success they've drawn a date with one of Europe’s top performers in recent seasons, 2020/21 Europa League winners Villarreal!
The successful knockout round playoff tie was the continental debut of new manager Brian Riemer, who has described this pair of fixtures as “a tough job … but we are ready”. Their preparation for this match came into question after failing to win their most recent league fixtures (D1, L1), which subsequently has put their chances of returning to the UECL in jeopardy. There also appears to be no such thing as a home venue advantage for Anderlecht as far as this competition is concerned, with their win-loss records across this UECL campaign the same both at home and away (W3, D1, L2).
Villarreal look a shadow of the club that conquered both Juventus and Bayern Munich on the way to the Champions League semi-finals last season, though wins in their last two league outings (against Getafe and Almería) at least kept them in the hunt for another season in Europe. They were the first of all teams to confirm their place in this round by winning their first four group stage games prior to Unai Emery’s departure for Aston Villa.
New boss Quique Setién’s mind turned immediately to this game after winning away to Almería, and his task is to continue their proud tradition of advancing deep into the knockout stages of European competition. The Yellow Submarine have been sunk in just one of their nine Round of 16 ties (2014/15 against Sevilla) and have displayed their travelling abilities by sealing victory in 11 of 17 UEFA matches at an opposition venue (D3, L3) since the beginning of 2020/21.
Players to watch: Islam Slimani will be searching for his first continental goal of the season after scoring in four of his last seven domestic appearances for Anderlecht or Brest. José Luis Morales was Villarreal’s joint top goalscorer (alongside Álex Baena) in the group stage and found the net against Almería at the weekend.
Hot stat: All but one of Villarreal’s last ten away/neutral games in UEFA playoff or knockout ties produced fewer than 2.5 total goals.