Celtic’s mid-week match against Anderlecht could be considered their most important match of the season so far. They’ve had big ones against Astana, Paris Saint-Germain and Rangers, but this one is absolutely huge in the context of trying to secure European football after Christmas. The Hoops are battling it out for third place in their Champions League group with the Belgian champions and this away trip holds the the key to securing that aim.
A draw would be a fine result, giving them the upper hand heading into the final four fixtures, with a home match with Anderlecht set to occur on matchday six. However, a win would mean that Europa League football is within their grasp.
Brendan Rodgers’ side can do it too. PSG hammering aside, the Hoops are in fantastic form at the start of this season, looking as good as they ever have since the former Liverpool boss joined the club.
Anderlecht are there for the taking and the Scottish champions must believe they can get the job done.
Here are THREE reasons why…
Anderlecht have had a terrible start to the season
After eight matches in the Belgian top-flight, last season’s champions Anderlecht are struggling big time. They’re currently in eighth place, having pick up just half of the points available to them in their games so far. That’s left them a massive nine points adrift of title rivals Club Brugge, at risk of being cut adrift from the main contenders above them.
Their three league wins have hardly been convincing either. They needed two late goals to win away to Waasland-Beveren at the weekend and required a 90th minute effort two weeks ago to pick up three points against Lokeren.
No player has scored more than two league goals despite having talents like Everton’s Henry Onyekuru and Poland international Lukasz Teodorcyzk to call upon.
In their first European match too they faltered, succumbing to Bayern Munich in a 3-0 defeat in Germany.
It all adds up to a perfect storm for an in-form Celtic to capitalise on, if they can perform to the best of their capabilities.
Anderlecht don’t have an established manager
The poor form already discussed all culminated with the ruthless decisions to axe manager Rene Weiler on 18th September. That turmoil means they are going into their most important European match of the season leaderless, guided by inexperienced caretaker manager Carlos Frutos, who was put in charge for four matches, two of which have already occurred.
Frutos may have won both encounters so far, but this is his first opportunity in the dugout of a senior side and that lack of experience could be crucial when going head-to-head with a manager like Brendan Rodgers.
The former Anderlecht forward will know this match is crucial if he’s to have a chance of getting the job full-time, which he’s admitted he wants, but the Belgian side’s situation presents a fantastic opportunity for Celtic to pick up a rare European away win and take a giant leap towards securing that third spot in the group.
Celtic have scored in 6 of Brendan Rodgers’ 9 European away games
Celtic’s performances away from home in Europe were once upon time ridiculed, and for good reason. They’ve built their successes in UEFA competition over the last 17 years on with their home form, often writing off getting anything away from Celtic Park given their woes on their travels.
Under Brendan Rodgers, playing away in Europe has been a mixed bag. There have been lows, most notably a record European defeat against Barcelona, but there have been highs too and more often than not, the Hoops are good for a goal on their travels. In fact, they’ve netted six times in the nine European away matches so far under Rodgers.
Two draws in the group stages of this competition last season will give them confidence they won’t be beat on Wednesday night and if they can get a goal, perhaps even the first goal, then it’ll be difficult for an Anderlecht side struggling for attacking form to net two against them.
