Anderlecht vs Hoffenheim Prediction: Goals just the ticket at Lotto Park

Anderlecht can secure a top-eight place in the league phase of the Europa League if they can collect three points at home to Hoffenheim on Thursday (20:00, discovery+), and the Purple & Whites have certainly shown a good level of ability in this competition.  

Hoffenheim know that only a victory in Belgium will give them a chance to extend their stay in European competition, but even three points could leave the German side short of the playoff round. It’s an interesting fixture at Lotto Park and fans should be in for an entertaining night of action.  

Anderlecht vs Hoffenheim Odds

Anderlecht are 5/4 to win on home turf, while Hoffenheim are 9/5 to pick up a much-needed three points. The draw is available at 23/10 and over 3.5 goals is a 6/4 chance.

Football Odds

Team News

An ankle injury is likely to rule out experienced Anderlecht defender Jan Vertonghen once again, while first-choice goalkeeper Colin Coosemans is struggling with a hamstring problem.  

Former Hoffenheim forward Kasper Dolberg won't have the pleasure of playing against his former side after picking up a knee injury.  

Hoffenheim have some major injury concerns and will be without captain and starting goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Ozan Kabak, Diadié Samassekou, Alexander Prass and Ihlas Bebou will all miss the trip to Belgium. 

Over 3.5 goals @ 13/8

Hoffenheim know they must beat Anderlecht to have any chance of progression in the Europa League and there are many more factors which could lead to goals at Lotto Park.  

Anderlecht and Hoffenheim will both be without their first-choice goalkeepers for the Europa League tie and there are also key absentees in defence.  

Team news aside, Hoffenheim were involved in a thrilling 3-2 defeat against Tottenham in their latest European contest and that was a game in which the Kraichgauers hit a whopping 22 shots and produced an expected goals figure of 2.55. 

All of Hoffenheim's last five matches have gone over 3.5 goals and that's a sequence which has seen matches end 5-0, 3-1, 3-2 and 2-2.  

Anderlecht hit four goals at home to Mechelen on Sunday and David Hubert's side have the attacking potential to pick off a forward-thinking Hoffenheim side.  

All roads seem to lead to goals at Lotto Park and backing over 3.5 looks a play.

Mario Stroeykens to score anytime @ 16/5

Kasper Dolberg has been Anderlecht's regular goalscoring performer this season, but with the forward out injured that could lead to an opportunity for Mario Stroeykens to move higher up the pitch.  

The impressive 20-year-old has been operating as an attacking midfielder during his time with the Purple and Whites, but Hubert could deploy the Belgian in a forward role against Hoffenheim.  

Stroeykens has four goals in the Belgian top flight this term as well as one in the Europa League, and the 20-year-old looks a bet to add to that tally.

Offers

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