Young Boys vs Anderlecht

Stadion Wankdorf forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Europa Conference League playoff first-leg clash between Young Boys and Anderlecht.

Young Boys made light work of their Europa Conference League third-round qualifying tie against Finland minnows KuPs, running out 5-0 aggregate victors (2-0 A, 3-0 H) to reach the playoff final. Indeed, the Swiss giants have won all four Europa Conference League qualifying legs this season by an aggregate score of 9-0, showing they mean business. On top of that, Raphael Wicky’s men are unbeaten in all nine competitive matches this term (W7, D2), netting 3+ goals in five of them. That’s encouraging, as is the fact they’ve only lost one of their four European meetings with Belgian rivals overall (W2, D1, L1).

Meanwhile, visiting Anderlecht head into proceedings on the back of a stellar 3-0 away win over domestic rivals Sint-Truidense, making it four victories in a row, all competitions included. Indeed, Felize Mazzu’s side crashed Estonian outfit Paide out of the previous Europa Conference League qualifying round 5-0 on aggregate (2-0 A, 3-0 H). Firing on all cylinders, Mazzu’s lads have bagged precisely three goals in three consecutive games to bolster their spirits ahead of this trip. After a three-year hiatus from a European competition group stage, Anderlecht will be desperate to defy their three-game winless streak against Swiss adversaries in European football (D2, L1).