Anderlecht vs St Etienne Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Having already qualified for the knockout phase of the competition, both Anderlecht and St Etienne will be vying for top spot in Group C this Thursday evening when the sides meet at Constant Vanden Stock in Brussels.

And another tight encounter between the pair is anticipated following a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture back in September – as both sides seek to preserve their unbeaten records on the continent this season.

Anderlecht will start as favourites and it’s easy to see why based on their results and performances at Constant Vanden Stock this term, which have been as consistent as ever.

Rene Weiler’s team have brushed aside Mainz and Gabala 6-1 and 3-1 respectively in the Belgian capital whilst they’ve won five and drawn two from eight domestic league games in front of their own supporters – scoring a tasty 22 goals.

With 11 points overall from their five group matches, Anderlecht start the night two points ahead of St Etienne meaning a draw would be enough for the hosts to secure top spot.

That was the result when the sides met in France back in September although it’s worth remembering that St Etienne had to rely on an injury time strike by Nolan Roux to get on level terms after Anderlecht deservingly took the lead through a Youri Tielemans penalty on the hour mark.

So Christophe Galtier’s men are quite rightly the underdogs here and unlike Anderlecht who beat Kortrijk 1-3 at the weekend to stay 3^rd in the Belgian top flight, Les Verts go into Thursday’s game on the back of a defeat after losing 2-0 at Rennes on Sunday.

That reversal leaves St Etienne 9^th in Ligue 1 and with their berth in the next round of this competition already assured, it’s likely boss Galtier will be prioritising next weekend’s home fixture with Guingamp where three points are required to keep the club in the hunt for European qualification next season.

And although St Etienne drew with Mainz 1-1 and beat Gabala 1-2 in their other two away games in Group C, Thursday’s visitors have just two wins from eight on the road in Ligue 1 this term and are likely to be vulnerable to Anderlecht’s free-scoring attack – with or without key changes.

It won’t be a cakewalk for Anderlecht as it has been in their previous Group C home ties. However, we feel Rene Weiler’s charges will narrowly come out best here at 6/5 whilst 2-1 appeals in the correct score market at 8/1.