Anderlecht travel to the Basque Country on Thursday evening hoping to build on their opening win in the Europa League. The Belgians beat Ferencvaros 2-1 at home and now face a difficult game against the La Liga side. Their opponents began their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw in Nice.

Anderlecht will again be without a number of players this week, with Francis Amuzu being added to the long injury list during their recent Europa League clash. In addition, new signing Leander Dendoncker is now ill and will miss the game. The team continues to rely on Mario Stroeykens when it comes to attacking threat. The midfielder recently turned 20 and has continued his form from last season into this one. He leads the team so far with two goals and four assists. Nobody else has scored more than one goal for the club this season. Anderlecht starts this duel after a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Dender in the Pro League.

Their opponents didn’t have the best start to the season either. They are in 14th place in the league but managed to pick up their second league win at the weekend. Two goals off the bench from 20-year-old Icelandic striker Orri Oskarsson saw them beat Valencia 3-0 at home. Similar to their opponents, only Oskarsson and Takefusa Kubo have scored more than once this season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson