RFS v Anderlecht Preview | Can the Mauves keep up their perfect Europa League start? | OneFootball

RFS are one of the exciting stories of the European continental competition this season. The side from Riga shocked everyone by qualifying for the Europa League and, despite the perceived smallness, have been competitive. The side also won the Latvian Virsaliga at the weekend with a game to spare. The side have won the title on three occasions. In the Europa League, the Latvian’s have picked up one point from three games. Janis Ikaunieks has been the main man for the side this season with 16 goals, while former Gent man Darko Lemaijic has also chipped in with 11. Another familiar name for Belgian football followers is Fabrice Ondoa. The Cameroonian goalkeeper was once on the books of Oostende, making 30 appearances for the side.

Anderlecht, on the other hand, have been perfect to start the competition. The Mauves sit third in the table, level on points with Tottenham and Lazio. They have scored six goals and conceded just two. A win on Thursday evening against RFS could all but secure them passage to the next round of the competition. The side will have to do it without former Wolves and Aston Villa man Leander Dendoncker, as well as Ludwig Augustinsson. Neither have travelled to Latvia for the match. Former Ajax man Kasper Dolberg is in great form however, with nine goals in 18 games this season.

With FC Porto and Slavia Prague to come, a win against RFS could certainly ease any pressure going into those matches. Given the new format, it is hard to be definitive on what is required to finish in the top eight or the top 24. One would imagine that four wins should be enough to finish in the top 24 sides.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson