Home advantage versus Swedish discipline: prediction for Anderlecht — Hammarby
The second qualifying round clash of the Europa League between Anderlecht and Hammarby will take place on July 30 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. The first leg in Stockholm ended 1-1, so the fate of a place in the next round will be decided entirely in Belgium.
Anderlecht: new manager searching for his first official win
Anderlecht are going through a challenging period: the 34-time Belgian champions haven’t won the domestic title since the 2016/17 season and have finished fourth two years in a row. This summer, former Porto boss Vítor Bruno took the reins, but his debut official match ended in a draw in Sweden.
The Belgians opened the scoring early thanks to a spectacular free-kick from Danylo Sikan, but after Nathan Saliba was sent off, they couldn’t hold their lead and conceded in the 89th minute. Adding to their troubles is the departure of Thorgan Hazard, who netted 15 goals last season, while new signings have mainly strengthened the defense and midfield.
Hammarby: match fitness is there, away form a concern
Hammarby head into the second leg in better physical shape, with the Swedish league in full swing. After 15 rounds, Henrik Rydström’s side have 27 points and sit second, with eight wins, three draws, and four defeats.
The visitors’ main weapon is their organized defense: over 15 games, Hammarby have conceded just 15 goals — the best record in the league. However, their away form is notably weaker, with only two wins in seven Allsvenskan road matches in 2026.
Match facts and head-to-head
- The first leg ended 1-1.
- Anderlecht have won just one of their last five home matches.
- Hammarby have claimed only two wins in seven away league fixtures in Sweden in 2026.
Brussels expected to be decisive: Anderlecht — Hammarby prediction
Anderlecht boast a stronger squad and have the crucial advantage of playing at home. Despite inconsistent results at their own stadium, the Belgians are expected to step up offensively and capitalize on Hammarby’s struggles away from home.
The Swedish side are capable of staying compact and will once again make things difficult, especially given their strong fitness levels. However, even without the suspended Saliba, the hosts remain the favorites, and Sikan and company should have enough chances to secure Vítor Bruno’s first official win.
