Anderlecht vs Villarreal

Lotto Park forms the backdrop for an exciting Europa Conference League last-16 contest between Anderlecht and Villarreal.

Despite blowing hot and cold during the Europa Conference League group stages (W2, D2, L2), Anderlecht secured a runner-up finish in Group B behind West Ham United before overcoming Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets in the knockout playoffs by the finest of margins. However, Brian Riemer’s men have failed to win two straight matches in the build-up to this fixture (D1, L1), conceding in the opening 25 minutes of the second half on each occasion. That’s unlikely to faze Anderlecht as they look to qualify for the quarter-finals of a major European competition for only the second time in the 21st century, last achieving this feat in the 2016/7 Europa League campaign. Interestingly, they’ve progressed from four of their seven European knockout ties versus Spanish opponents.

Meanwhile, under-pressure Villarreal manager Quique Setien has stemmed the bleeding following a shameful four-match losing streak in February by leading his side to back-to-back La Liga wins over Getafe and Almeria, reigniting their European hopes in the process. Back to their domestic commitments after bypassing the Europa Conference League knockout playoffs, courtesy of a top-table finish in Group C (W4, D1, L1), ‘El Submarino Amarillo’ are looking to defy their underwhelming four-match form on the road (W1, D1, L2). In addition to scoring a competition-high 14 goals in the group stages, Villarreal can draw further confidence from winning both previous meetings with Belgian opposition in European action.