Anderlecht v Manchester United Betting Tips: Lack of goals in Belgium

This Europa League match sees an in form Anderlecht side face an out of form Manchester United side. Despite this, United are still the favourites to win the competition.

As mentioned above, Anderlecht are on a great run at the moment with no defeats in their last five in all competitions, winning four of them. This good run of form means Anderlecht are top of the league.

Rene Weiler’s men have certainly focused on their attacking play this season and are the Belgian Pro League’s top scorers with 67 goals in 30 games – 11 more than Club Brugge who have the second-most. Furthermore, until their goalless draw on Sunday, Anderlecht had found the back of the net in each of their last ten in all competitions. Although Weiler’s side only have the fourth-best defensive record in the league, it is still impressive with an average of just one goal per game conceded whilst they have also kept four clean sheets in their last five matches in all competitions.

Paars-wit have been brilliant at home in recent times and are unbeaten in their last ten in all competitions on home soil, scoring 19 times and conceding just three, including five consecutive clean sheets in their last five. In terms of the Europa League, Anderlecht also have a good home record with eight wins and just two losses in their last ten games at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock.

Manchester United put a poor recent run behind them on Sunday with a 3-0 win over relegation candidates Sunderland. However, as they are still four points of 4th, the Europa League still remains their best chance of getting Champions League football next season.

It was no surprise that the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the side coincided with the Red Devils scoring a few goals. The Swede has undoubtedly been United’s star player this season, contributing a large number of the goals and he will be vital in unlocking this strong Anderlecht back-line. United’s own defence is also incredibly strong and they have conceded just once in their last three matches and have the second-best defensive record in the Premier League. Additionally, they have conceded just once in their last six Europa League matches.

Jose Mourinho’s side’s victory against Sunderland at the weekend means they have now won their last two away matches, repairing their rather poor away record in recent times. United had a bit of a bad start on their travels in Europe this campaign with two straight losses, however, they are now undefeated in their last three.

Even though United are the favourites here, with Anderlecht in such good form at home, both domestically and in Europe, this isn’t easy to call. One thing that I think is pretty much guaranteed though is a lack of goals given that both teams are very strong at the back. Additionally, Anderlecht will not want to concede an away goal and so a rather impotent United attack could struggle a bit. ‘Under 2.5 Goals’, at 10/11, is a more than reasonable shout, especially this is a bet that would’ve landed in four of Anderlecht’s last four at home.

More Europa League tips can be found here.