Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs has announced a selection of 20 players for the fourth Europa League group stage match against Sturm Graz. The Purple & White only have to take one point to secure their place in the next round, but with a win, Sporting will also be a step closer to finishing the group stage in first position...

The coach has to deal with a few uncertainties as far as his selection is concerned. Sacha Kljestan is struggling with his hamstring and only finished the warm-up. It is doubtful as well whether Davy Schollen will get ready in time for the match. The goalie is still having trouble because of a kick he received during the final minutes against Rupel Boom. Dieumerci Mbokani still has a hamstring injury.

After the nice 9 points out of 9, Thursday’s opponents cannot be underestimated. “This is a situation we face often in Belgium, but it is still a European match. Everybody wants to show what he’s worth and play a good game. If we obtain a good result on Thursday, we are a giant step closer to the next round and we can also keep Lokomotiv Moscow, our major rivals for winning group L, behind us.” Even though the Purple & White are not focusing on that first place, it still lingers in the back of one’s mind. “Everyone knows the difference between ending in first or in second place: whether or not we face a top team in the next round.”

Going through to the next round for sure after four matches… no one would have dared to predict that before the start of the Europa League. “Before the game against AEK Athens, we were still dealing with a lot of doubts”, the coach said. “After last season’s confrontations, everyone expected that we would take three points at home against AEK , but the victory in Moscow was the one that really put us on the right track. With a - maybe unexpected - six point out of six, we were off to a very good start. The lads played very good football at times.” Anderlecht have confidence. “We need that, especially in Europe, you can’t do without it there”, Jacobs said. “We have to try and maintain the positive feeling we have both in the European and in the Belgian competition at the moment.”

Selection : Badibanga, Cordier, Deschacht, De Sutter, Fernando, Gillet, Iakovenko, Jovanovic, Juhasz, Kabasele, Kanu, Kljestan, Kouyate, Marecek, Odoi, Proto, Safari, Schollen, Suarez, Wasilewski