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Beginning their 2026 European campaigns, Swedish outfit Hammarby welcome Belgian giants Anderlecht to the 3Arena for the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.
Both clubs enter the competition at this stage thanks to their league finishes last season and will be aiming to go one better than their previous European campaigns after neither side managed to reach the league phase of a UEFA competition in 2025-26.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Hammarby vs Anderlecht key stats
- Hammarby currently boast the best home record in the Swedish Allsvenskan, collecting 19 points from eight matches after six wins, one draw and just one defeat.
- Bajen have returned from the mid-season break in impressive fashion, winning all three league matches while scoring eight goals and conceding only once.
- Anderlecht are Belgium's most successful club, having won 34 league titles as well as five major European trophies.
- Vitor Bruno won 62.1% of his 29 matches in charge of Porto before leaving the Portuguese club.
Hammarby vs Anderlecht preview: Vítor Bruno to hit the ground running as Les Mauve et Blanc manager?
Hammarby vs Anderlecht — Tale of the Tape
| Hammarby | vs | Anderlecht |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Allsvenskan) | Position | N/A (Belgian Pro League) |
| 26 | Points | N/A |
| 32 | Goals For | N/A |
| 14 | Goals Against | N/A |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| 1st / 10th | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
*Figures accurate at the time of publishing.
Hammarby entered the mid-season break in disappointing form, suffering four defeats in their final five matches before domestic football paused for the World Cup, but the stoppage appears to have been a welcomed one for Henrik Rydstrom's side.
After a friendly victory at the end of June, Bajen have returned to league action with three consecutive wins over Elfsborg, Kalmar and Degerfors.
That resurgence has lifted the Stockholm-based club back up to second place in the Allsvenskan standings, although they still trail runaway leaders Sirius by nine points.
One of the biggest reasons behind Hammarby's strong campaign has been their excellent home form.
With six victories, one draw and just a single defeat at the 3Arena, no side has collected more home points than Bajen this season, and they will hope that record continues as they look to take an advantage into next week's return leg in Belgium.
Rydstrom will, however, be without defender Sourou Kone, who remains sidelined through injury until at least September.
The visitors begin a new era under former Porto boss Vitor Bruno, who takes charge of his first competitive European fixture after replacing a series of caretaker managers earlier this summer.
Unlike Hammarby, Anderlecht have not played a competitive match since the end of May, when their Belgian Pro League campaign concluded with a heavy 5-1 defeat against Royale Union Saint Gilloise.
Despite that disappointing finish, pre-season has provided some encouragement, with Bruno overseeing a win and a draw as he begins to implement his ideas ahead of the new campaign.
The Purple and White will also have to cope without experienced winger Thorgan Hazard following his departure to Lens, leaving highly-rated 19-year-old striker Mihajlo Cvetkovic with increased responsibility in the final third.
Several summer arrivals could also make their competitive debuts on Thursday evening, including midfielder Lukas Ambros alongside defenders Leo Petrot and Giulian Biancone, as Anderlecht look to make a strong start to their Europa League qualifying campaign.
Hammarby vs Anderlecht form guide & betting tips
| Hammarby FC | vs | Anderlecht |
|---|---|---|
L
L
W
W
W
|
Form | |
| 9 | Points | N/A |
| 10th (Allsvenskan) | Form Table | N/A (Beligan Pro League) |
| 11 | Goals For | N/A |
| 6 | Goals Against | N/A |
L
W
W
W
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
D
W
|
Whispers predicts: Hammarby 1-2 Anderlecht
Both sides come into this first leg with contrasting preparation behind them, with Hammarby already in the middle of their domestic campaign while Anderlecht are still building towards the new season.
The Swedish side have been in excellent form since returning from the mid-season break and their home record makes them difficult opponents, but Anderlecht's greater European experience and stronger squad depth could prove decisive over 90 minutes.
We expect Vitor Bruno's side to claim a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg in Belgium, with an Anderlecht victory priced at 9/5.
Hammarby have been one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the Allsvenskan this season, scoring 32 goals in 16 matches, so we expect the hosts to find the net despite facing strong opposition. Both Teams to Score is priced at 4/6.
Anderlecht will be hoping teenage forward Cvetkovic can take on a bigger role following Hazard's departure, and the 19-year-old will be eager to make an immediate impact on the European stage. Cvetkovic to score anytime is priced at 11/5.
> Anderlecht to win at 9/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Mihajlo Cvetkovic to score anytime at 11/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 total goals at 4/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Exact score Hammarby 1-2 Anderlecht at 22/1 | Likelihood: Long shot