Anderlecht vs Mainz - Under-pressure Anderlecht look to take out frustrations on Mainz

Anderlecht will hope to lift the gloom that has descended over the club by claiming victory against Mainz in the Europa League on Thursday.

Group C is one of the tightest in the competition, with Anderlecht, Mainz and St Etienne all locked together on five points.

The outcome of Thursday's clash could therefore prove decisive in determining which two teams progress to the knockout stages.

Since a 1-1 draw in Germany two weeks ago, Anderlecht have lost two of their three matches and slipped to second in the Belgian league.

Sunday's 2-1 loss to Waasland-Beveren was the lowest point and coach Rene Weiler is looking for a quick reaction.

He told a press conference reported by Het Laatste Nieuws: "Sunday was a huge disappointment. But we must learn from our mistakes and I expect at Mainz a response.

"Our mentality has to change. I expect my players to work hard and fight for every ball.

"The match is crucial in the group and a win would let us start the next match with greater peace of mind. We also want to show our supporters, but at the moment it is important just to take the three points."

Anderlecht will be without Dennis Appiah and Uros Spajic but Mainz are set to welcome back Karim Onisiwo.

The striker missed the weekend's Bundesliga win over Ingolstadt to be at the birth of his son Leroy-Zayn.

Onisiwo was about to get on the coach for the match when he learned the birth was imminent.

He told the club website: "I did not want to feel uncomfortable or leave the team in the lurch, because I was planned for the starting line-up. All of them, however, wished me good luck and asked me why I would still be standing here.

"It was very intense from an emotional point of view, because I thought about the game. In one hand, I had my mobile phone to track the game and the other hand was with my girlfriend.

"It was a good thing she understood, and after the birth she asked herself very quickly about the score."