In the final round of Europa Conference League group-stage fixtures, Silkeborg and Anderlecht will fight for a second-placed finish and a place in the playoff round when they square off in Denmark on Thursday.
The hosts currently sit a point ahead of their opponents in Group B, meaning the Belgian visitors require a victory to stay in the competition and in the fight for a spot in the round of 16.
Match preview
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After falling short in the Europa League playoff round against HJK Helsinki, Silkeborg dropped into the Europa Conference League group stage and made a slow start, suffering defeats at the hands of Anderlecht and West Ham United in their opening two outings.
The Danish outfit would then bounce back in consecutive fixtures against FCSB, winning 5-0 on both occasions to move onto six points from four matches, as Anders Klynge, Kasper Kusk, Nicklas Helenius, Stefan Teitur Thordarson and Tonni Adamsen firstly found the net in the home fixture.
Kusk and Klynge would again get on the scoresheet to put them ahead in Romania, before Soren Tengstedt added a third and Sebastian Jorgensen scored a brace to seal another emphatic victory prior to a tough trip to group leaders West Ham.
Manuel Lanzini would put their hosts ahead in Kent Nielsen's side's fifth group outing and Silkeborg were unable to overturn the deficit, eventually falling to a narrow defeat, and they now head into Thursday on the back of another domestic loss, falling to fifth spot in the Danish top flight following a defeat at home to Viborg on Sunday, despite Adamssen initially putting them ahead.
Having kept hold of second place in the group thanks to Anderlecht's result last time out, the Danish side know that a draw on Thursday will be enough to book their spot in a playoff round of Europe's tertiary competition, allowing them to fight to reach the final 16.
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Anderlecht, meanwhile, make the trip knowing only a win will suffice in their bid to finish second, having only amassed five points from their five games.
The Belgian side made a winning start against Thursday's opponents, as Fabio Silva netted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot, but they were then held to a disappointing goalless draw away at FCSB before a Gianluca Scamacca goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham United.
The Purple & White's wait for a second group victory would continue as a trip to West Ham would result in a 1-0 loss, and, after the following contest against Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Pro League was lost 3-2, Felice Mazzu was dismissed with Robin Veldman taking over as caretaker manager.
That change did not have the desired impact in their latest group outing against FCSB, as Anderlecht were again only able to take a point, with Joyskim Dawa forcing a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw after Yari Verschaeren and Jan Vertonghen had twice put the home side ahead.
With their tough run of results seeing them trail Thursday's opponents by a point, the Purple & White will now go in search of a much-needed triumph on the back of a 4-2 victory over Eupen at the weekend, as Lior Refaelov hit a brace alongside goals from Francis Amuzu and Anouar Ait El Hadj.
Team News
© ReutersSilkeborg could come into Thursday's game with an unchanged starting XI from their narrow defeat away at West Ham, although Tonni Adamsen is among those fighting to come in from the outset having impressed going forward throughout the campaign.
Nicklas Helenius is again set to lead the line, having hit seven goals across all competitions so far this season, while Sebastian Jorgensen will also keep his place in the front line, with eight goals to his name thus far including two alongside two assists in their five group-stage games.
Elsewhere, Joel Felix and Tobias Salquist have both played every minute of Conference League action this term and should continue to partner up at the heart of the back four, while Stefan Teitur Thordarson and Anders Klynge remain key men in midfield.
Anderlecht are without defender Michael Murillo, who will serve a suspension after being sent off in the dying minutes of their last group game against FCSB, meaning Zeno Debast could deputise on the right-hand side of the back four with Jan Vertonghen and Wesley Hoedt likely keeping their places at centre-back.
Their attack will be spearheaded by Fabio Silva, who has netted nine goals in all competitions since arriving on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer, while Sebastiano Esposito will also be vying for a starting berth going forward.
Lior Refaelov will offer further attacking threat from deeper, having hit a brace against Eupen at the weekend, with Amadou Diawara and Majeed Ashimeru set to anchor the midfield.
Silkeborg possible starting lineup:
Larsen; Ostrom, Salquist, Felix, Klitten; Thordarson, Gojani, Klynge; Jorgensen, Helenius, Adamsen
Anderlecht possible starting lineup:
Van Crombrugge; Debast, Hoedt, Vertonghen, N'Diaye; Diawara, Ashimeru; Refaelov, Amuzu; Silva, Esposito
We say: Silkeborg 1-1 Anderlecht
Despite the quality in their squad, Anderlecht have been far from their best across all fronts this season, and we do not see the Purple and White doing enough to triumph and leapfrog their opponents with a win on their travels in Denmark, instead backing the second-placed side to hold their position and take a share of the spoils.
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Sam Varley
