Anderlecht 3-1 Hammarby result, stats and report

Danylo Sikan's 43rd-minute left-foot finish was enough for Anderlecht to claim a narrow 1-0 home victory over KV Kortrijk, with the visitors offering too little in attack to seriously threaten an equaliser.

Anderlecht were three goals to the good by half-time in Almaty, with a third-minute own goal setting the tone for a structured, disciplined performance that Kairat never found an answer to. The game was effectively over before the home side had time to settle into any kind of shape.

Hammarby settled this Allsvenskan contest inside eleven minutes and never looked like relinquishing their grip, producing a performance that was as structurally convincing as the scoreline suggests.

Anderlecht arrive at Wednesday's Europa League clash on the back of five straight wins without conceding more than two goals in any game. Lyon, priced as clear favourites, will need to prove they deserve that billing.

Second-placed Hammarby travel to a Degerfors side deep in relegation trouble, but the gap in quality makes this less a contest and more a coaching examination for both benches.

Anderlecht host Zulte-Waregem on Saturday evening carrying genuine momentum but a defensive question that keeps following them home. This is a fixture with a clear tactical story underneath the surface.

Hammarby host Brommapojkarna on Sunday carrying a momentum dip that their second-place standing flatters, while the visitors arrive with goals in their legs and very little interest in keeping things quiet.

Mechelen host Anderlecht on Friday evening with both sides carrying concerning recent form, but the structural problems running through this Mechelen side make them a team to watch very carefully rather than back blindly.