Anderlecht v Lyon: Three Europa League bets to consider as sides meet at Lotto Park

Anderlecht and Lyon begin their Europa League campaigns at Lotto Park on Wednesday, with both clubs looking to make progress after contrasting starts to their European seasons.

Anderlecht reached the league phase by winning a two-legged play-off earlier in the campaign, while Lyon are rebuilding after being knocked out of Champions League qualifying.

The Mauve and White finished fourth in the 2025-26 Belgian Pro League and entered the Europa League in the second qualifying round. They have already played six European matches this season, overcoming Hammarby, PAOK and former Champions League club Kairat Almaty.

Anderlecht recorded five wins and one draw in those ties, and have also won their past three European home games in 2026-27, scoring three goals in each match.

They are unbeaten in their past three league fixtures, winning two and drawing one since a 3-0 defeat by Union SG on 30 August. Striker Danylo Sikan has also scored five goals in six Europa League appearances this season.

The suggested bets for the match are both teams to score and more than 2.5 goals at 1.74, Keito Nakamura to be decisive at 1.80, and Lois Openda to score at 2.55.

Lyon finished one place and one point above Lille in Ligue 1 last season, but had to negotiate Champions League qualifying. They eliminated Sparta Prague over two legs before falling to Fenerbahce.

That defeat ended the Gones’ hopes of reaching Europe’s leading club competition, although Lyon remain serious contenders for the Europa League title and begin their campaign in Belgium.

Since their painful 28 August loss to Fenerbahce at Groupama Stadium, Lyon have gone three Ligue 1 matches unbeaten and climbed to fifth in the table. Their attack was weakened late in the summer transfer window by Malick Fofana’s move to Sunderland, but they kept playmaker Pavel Sulc.

Anderlecht’s recent form in all competitions is V, V, D, V, N, V, while Lyon’s is N, V, D, N, V, N.

The hosts remain without defender Killian Sardella, who suffered a muscle injury during the summer. Centre-back Lucas Hey is recovering from a broken leg and hopes to return around New Year, further limiting Anderlecht’s defensive options. Ilay Camara is also doubtful because of an ongoing foot problem.

Lyon’s Julien Duranville, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and has made only two appearances this season, is unavailable with a muscle injury. After keeping a clean sheet against Paris FC last weekend, Lyon are expected to continue with Moussa Niakhate and Felix Bacher at centre-back.

Probable Anderlecht team: Coosemans; Maamar, Biancone, Petrot, Augustinsson; Winkler, Koutsoupias, Kana, Antman; Bentayeb, Sikan.

Probable Lyon team: Greif; Athekame, Bacher, Niakhate, Abner; Bidstrup, Morton; Nuamah, Sulc, Tolisso; Openda.

Anderlecht will hope their strong home record in Europa League qualifying continues, but Lyon’s visit represents a significantly tougher test.