Europa League: Anderlecht takes on Ajax for the first time

Tomorrow, Belgian and Dutch giants collide as Anderlecht host Ajax in match day two in Group A of the Europa League. RSCA are currently topping Group A of the Europa League whilst Ajax were held to a draw by Timisoara.


Despite the proximity of both sides, Anderlecht and Ajax have not played each other competitively in the European stage. Anderlecht have won all four of their previous home games against Dutch sides, but have won only three of their last 17 UEFA group stage home matches, drawing five and losing nine.

However there are plenty of Dutch connections within Anderlecht, with Boussoufa part of the Ajax youth side for five years, 1996 until 2001. Jelle van Damme played for Ajax from 2002-04, but is likely to miss the match due to the impending birth of his child with Elke Clijsters.

The last time Anderlecht hosted a Europa League/UEFA Cup group stage fixture was when Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1.