Competition: Europa Conference League
Market: Villarreal win
Odds: 21/20 @ 888sport
Looking to extend on their recent bounce when they turn their attention back to Conference League duties, Villarreal will make the trip to Anderlecht on Thursday evening.
Starting with the hosts, while Anderlecht might have eventually clawed their way past Ludogorets last month following a nail-biting penalties victory on home soil, they have struggled to find any kind of stability. Last seen over the weekend failing to pick up any momentum as they were hit with a toothless 1-0 loss away at Gent, Brian Riemer’s men have failed to win any of their previous five straight matchups within 90 minutes. Tipped as an outside pick to extend on their Conference League adventure this month, the Purples have continued to show some recent issues in front of their own supporters. On a run that is highlighted by an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of Waregem on January 18th, it should be highlighted that Anderlecht have recorded just a pair of wins at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium since opening 2023.
As for the visitors, while Villarreal might have found themselves enduring a February nightmare, it appears that the Spanish outfit have put those issues to one side. Along with putting in another professional display over the weekend as they claimed a 2-0 victory away at Almeria, Quique Setien’s men have now secured back-to-back domestic wins for the first time since the start of January. Although the former Barcelona boss might know that he faces a real uphill struggle if the Yellow Submarine are to secure a top-four finish in 2023, they are seen as a leading Conference League contender. Although Villarreal might have recorded just a single clean sheet over the past six weeks, Thursday’s guests have found a clinical edge in the final third. It should be highlighted, Setien’s side have bagged a pair of goals in their previous three consecutive outings.
Bet: Villarreal 21/20 to beat Anderlecht in Thursday’s Europa Conference League matchup @ 888sport
