Spartak Trnava vs Anderlecht Predictions

Slovakian champions Spartak Trnava are gearing up to face one of Belgium’s most reputable clubs Anderlecht at the Štadión Antona Malatinského this week, as the first fixtures in UEFA Europa League Group D get underway.

Spartak Trnava won the Slovakian top flight for the first time in forty-five years last season to spark wild celebrations in western Slovakia. Along with the silverware itself, Spartak were rewarded with a place in the Champions League pre-qualification stages, though the Slovaks were beaten over two legs in the 3^rd Round by Red Star Belgrade.

From there, the Europa League was still on offer however, though Spartak needed to beat Slovenian side Olimpija over two legs to make it to the Group Stage of the competition.

Understandably, Spartak’s players focus has been firmly on securing continental football of some kind for the season and as a result, their domestic performances have taken a nose dive.

Spartak have won only two of their first eight games of the Slovak Fortuna Liga since the new season kicked off in late July. Aside from the distraction of European football, the club are also coming to terms with life under new management, after championship winning coach Nestor El Maestro moved to CSKA Sofia over the summer.

New boss Radoslav Látal hasn’t had the best start in his new role, winning just six of his first seventeen games in charge of his new club. With Spartak still finding their feet under Látal, it feels like an inopportune time to be facing a vastly superior Anderlecht outfit.

The Belgians finished 2^nd in their regular league season in 20171/8, but slipped to 3^rd in the Championship Round. The Paars-wit strengthened considerably over the summer to try to claw their way back to the summit of Belgian football, and started the new campaign with fresh impetus and four wins on the spin.

Since then, they have run into a few roadblocks however and Anderlecht lost their first two big tests of the season away at champions Club Brugge and at Genk. Hein Vanhaezebrouck takes a team with no wins in three in total to Slovakia this week, though the Belgians have lost just three of their last fourteen in the Europa League.

Anderlecht have considerable European pedigree, having competed on the continent in successive seasons for decades now. On Thursday, they take a superior squad to face a Spartak Trnava side who have won just once in five. We expect Anderlecht to win this week, though the Belgians have kept just one clean sheet in seven competitive matches this season.

For that reason, we recommend taking the away win & both teams to score combination. Three of Anderlecht’s four away games in 2018/19 have finished with over 2.5 goals scored in them. Goals are likely again in Slovakia this week and we’re tipping over 2.5 goals to be registered again. Our correct score forecast predicts a 2-1 win for Anderlecht.