Europa League
2015-11-26 - Monaco v Anderlecht
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 26th November 2015 - Kick Off 6pm
Monaco
Being knocked out of the Champions League Play Offs after reaching the Quarter Final last year was a bitter blow for Monaco who could have certainly done with the financial boost from the top competition in European football. It is hard to imagine that Monaco are looking for financial boosts considering the outlay their owners invested a couple of years ago, but that has certainly been toned down over the last eighteen months.
Out of the Champions League and into the Europa League is not always a positive for teams, but I think that nonchalant attitude could be restricted to English football. This is clearly a competition in which Monaco wish to advance and they can book their place in the Last 32 if they can win this game and Qarabag fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the other game in the Group. Monaco have beaten Qarabag here in the Group, but had to settle for a draw with Spurs.
Monaco have lost just 1 of their last 11 games overall but almost half of those games have ended in draws with 5 of those 11 games seeing the points shared. The side are unbeaten in 6 games at home in all competitions and Monaco have replaced a 3 game run of draws at home with 3 straight wins all coming by the same 1-0 score.
Anderlecht
This has been a surprisingly tight Group in the Europa League although most would have expected Monaco and Tottenham Hotspur to run away with things and move into the Last 32. With just three points separating the top and bottom of the Group Anderlecht could put themselves in a position to qualify for the Knock Out Rounds with a win on Thursday, although they would be eliminated with a defeat depending on the result in the other game.
At the moment it is Anderlecht who prop up the Group, but their 4 points earned keeps them in touch with Monaco in 2nd place who are only 2 points better off. However it has to be a concern for Anderlecht that they have earned all of those points at home having lost in Qarabag and Tottenham Hotspur and they have lost 4 straight away games in the Europa League.
A 6 game unbeaten run for Anderlecht has been replaced by consecutive defeats ahead of this game, although the game last weekend was postponed due to threats in Brussels. Anderlecht have won 1 of their last 6 away games in all competitions and they have lost back to back games at Tottenham Hotspur and Standard Liege.
Head to Head
A late goal earned Monaco a 1-1 draw at Anderlecht earlier in the Group.
Prediction
This Group has been tight from the beginning, but we might finally get some separation on Match Day 5.
Home advantages could be key in the two games to be played this week and it is Monaco who I believe will have a little too much for Anderlecht in this game. A win for Monaco would virtually assure them of a place in the Last 32 on Thursday ahead of their final game in London against Tottenham Hotspur and I think they will just about get over the line to get that.
Monaco have won 3 in a row at home by narrow 1-0 margins, but they should be too good for Anderlecht who have lost 4 in a row away from home in the Europa League. Losses in Qarabag and Tottenham Hotspur won't inspire much confidence in the Anderlecht squad and I think Monaco will prove a little too good on the night and earn a vital three points in the Group.
The Pick :
Monaco 1-2 Anderlecht
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