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Recommended bets
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Match preview
After a 1-1 draw in Brussels, Villarreal are well-placed to continue another memorable European adventure.
A week ago, it was the Spanish side who broke the deadlock at Lotto Park with Manu Trigueros firing home Samu Chukwueze’s cross at the back-post.
However, Anderlecht levelled early in the second half; Francis Amuzu disposed Trigueros, picked out Anders Dreyer and he lashed the ball beyond Pepe Reina from long-range.
Nevertheless, as the two reconvene in Eastern Spain, the home side are overwhelming favourites to advance.
Villarreal won the Europa League two years ago before reaching last season’s Champions League semi-finals, notably ousting Arsenal, Man United, Atalanta, Juventus and Bayern Munich across those two campaigns.
Given that, Quique Setién’s side have to be amongst the favourites to go all the way in this competition.
In Europe though, Villarreal have won 11 of their last 16 home fixtures, losing just two, so are widely expected to further improve that ratio here.
Anderlecht meantime dumped out Ludogorets on penalties in the previous round, their first knockout stage win for six years.
The Purple and Whites did reach the Europa League quarter-finals in 2017 but, before that, you have to go back to 1997 for their previous last eight appearance.
Given that Brian Riemer’s team are ninth in Belgium’s top-flight, they don’t look well-placed to take out one of the favourites.
A home win will surely be on the cards at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Villarreal team news
Gerard Moreno is likely to continue up front, chosen over José Luis Morales, flanked by Samu Chukwueze and weekend scorer Yeremy.
Fit again Alberto Moreno could return in place of Alfonso Pedraza at left-back.
40 year old Pepe Reina will continue in goal; his first appearance in UEFA competition came for Barcelona against Club Brugge in the UEFA Cup 23 years ago.
Anderlecht team news
Jan Vertonghen is the key man at the back for Anderlecht, with this set to be his 129th appearances in UEFA club competition.
Concerningly, Fábio Silva remains their top scorer this season with 11, despite the fact he was recalled by Wolves and then joining PSV in January.
His replacement Islam Slimani scored twice against Cercle Brugge at the weekend, so the Algerian striker will have gained some much-needed confidence.
Villarreal vs Anderlecht: Head to head statistics
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