Two camps who will get their respective Europa League qualifying adventures underway on Thursday evening, Hammarby will welcome Anderlecht to Sweden.While the 2026 World Cup might have only drawn to a close last weekend, we have plenty of eye-catching betting promotions available.Verdict: Hammarby draw no betBest Odds: Bookmaker: BetUSHammarbyStarting with the hosts, while Hammarby might have entered Sweden’s summer interval in the midst of what was a public rut, Henrik Rydstrom’s men have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Clinching a silver medal finish last season, the Bajen should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Despite already accepting that it would take a major miracle in the race to claim a first domestic crown since back in 2001, the Stockholm-based outfit have hit top gear at a crucial time. Securing some dream momentum last time out as they cruised their way to a dominant 4-0 victory at home against Degerfors, Hammarby will know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage here. In fact, since making their return from Sweden’s World Cup break earlier in the month, Thursday’s hosts have won all of their previous three consecutive Allsvenskan appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1.Hammarby Team NewsStill sidelined with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance across any competition since the start of April, Hammarby will once again be without the services of Ivory Coast youngster Sourou Kone here.However, missing out against Degerfors last time out after serving a one-match domestic suspension, former Minnesota defender Victor Eriksson will return to Hammarby’s squad on Thursday evening. Coming off the bench and bagging a maiden Allsvenskan strike of the season last week, Tesfaldet Tekie could be handed a full recall.AnderlechtAs for the visitors, while Anderlecht might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last season, the Belgium giants rightfully come under a huge amount of public scrutiny. Signing off the 2025/26 campaign with an infamous 5-1 drumming at the hands of bitter domestic foes Royale Union back on May 24th, Vitor Bruno’s men are desperately searching for some essential stability this time around. Despite enjoying a much-welcomed summer flurry during their pre-season preparations, the Violets will know the importance of finding some defensive grit. Remarkably mustering just a sole win from any of their final eight domestic appearances across all competitions last season, Anderlecht have also astonishingly failed to clinch a single clean sheet since the middle of February.Anderlecht Team NewsAhead of their trip to Stockholm on Thursday evening for their first-leg showdown, Anderlecht have reported a clean bill of health and don’t have any fresh injury concerns to worry about.Completing a permanent switch from Polish outfit Gornik Zabzre this summer, 22-year-old Lukas Ambros will make his competitive debut for the Violets on Thursday evening. Reportedly attracting some serious European interest, academy graduate Marco Kana will start at the heart of Anderlecht’s defence here.Hammarby vs Anderlecht Key Factors to ConsiderThursday’s first-leg showdown in Stockholm will be a maiden meeting between Hammarby and Anderlecht.Since returning from Sweden’s summer interval, Hammarby have won their previous three domestic battles by an aggregate score of 8-1.Anderlecht could only muster a single win from any of their final eight consecutive domestic matchups last season.Thursday’s guests have remarkably failed to claim a single competitive clean sheet across all formats since the middle of February.Hammarby have suffered just a sole defeat in Stockholm over the past 11 months.ConclusionEnjoying what has been a major flurry since returning from Sweden’s summer break, Hammarby should be confident of claiming an essential first-leg advantage here. Winning all of their previous three domestic showdowns by an aggregate score of 8-1, Thursday’s hosts have also found quite the clinical edge. Meeting a leaky Anderlecht defence who have gained a reputation for their rather glaring issues at the back, Hammarby’s free-scoring attack will be looking to make a public statement when they open their Europa League qualifying adventure in midweek.Verdict: Hammarby draw no betBest Odds: 7/10Bookmaker: BetUSThe post Prediction: Hammarby vs Anderlecht appeared first on SoccerNews.