Anderlecht – Mainz

Anderlecht will host Mainz in a match counting for Group C of the Europa League. The group is currently very tight with these two teams and St Etienne all having 5 points, while Qabala lost all matches.

Anderlecht is coming after a 1-2 loss against Waasland-Beveren, a result that saw them drop 3 points behind league leaders Zulte Waregem. The hosts are playing pretty well so far this season but they could still do better and recent form is not very encouraging, with a single win in the last 4 matches – a 2-0 home victory over poor Mechelen.

Mainz managed to defeat Ingolstadt 2-0 at home last weekend, their first victory in 4 matches in all competitions. The Germans are having a good season, playing well in both Europa League and Bundesliga (where they are 9th) and will hope that the win over Ingolstadt will get them back to winning ways.

Two weeks ago Anderlecht snatched a point at Mainz in a 1-1 draw, but in all honesty Mainz was the better team and probably deserved to win.

This is a very evenly matched group, with Anderlecht, Mainz and St Etienne all having more or less the same quality. Results so far prove that, with all of these teams drawing between eachother and beating Qabala.

I reckon there’s very little separating Anderlecht and Mainz, the Germans are a bit better of course, but not by much and they play this match away from home. The fact that these two teams and St Etienne all have 5 points will surely make Anderlecht and Mainz scared of losing. The team that would lose this game would face an uphill battle to qualify, so I expect a lot of caution from both teams.

A draw makes sense here, I view it as the most likely result and odds are obviously great, so that will be my tip. I will bet on the draw here. Prediction: Anderlecht – Mainz 1-1.

Pick: Draw
Odds: 3.60 @ Bet365
Stake: 4
Possible profit: 10.40
Event date: 3 November