With a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League up for grabs, Villarreal and Anderlecht will renew acquaintances in Spain on Thursday evening.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, with Anderlecht coming from behind to set up a pivotal second-leg showdown at El Madrigal.

Players to watch: Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros netted in the first leg, for his second goal in succession to arrive between the 16th-30th minute. Unlike him, Anderlecht’s Benito Raman didn’t score in Brussels, but was described by coach Riemer as a “big asset” afterwards.

He vindicated that praise in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Cercle Brugge by assisting the second goal, impressively doing so within two minutes of his deployment from the bench!

Hot streak: Villarreal’s last seven home games to be won or lost have been settled by a one-goal margin.

Villarreal Europa Conference League form:

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Villarreal form (all competitions):

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Anderlecht Europa Conference League form:

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Anderlecht form (all competitions):

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Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Reina; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Alfonso; Terrats, Parejo, Trigueros; Chukwueze, Moreno, Pino

Anderlecht possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Murillo, Debast, Vertonghen, Sardella; Verschaeren, Arnstad, Ashimeru; Dreyer, Slimani, Amuzu

Villarreal 3-0 Anderlecht FT

We expect Villarreal to book their place in the quarter-finals with a high-scoring victory over Anderlecht, whose below-par campaign looks set to worsen with a Europa Conference League exit.