Crossword Genius

It's expected they'll have an affair, naturally (1,6,2,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

a matter of course

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it's expected they'll' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'an affair naturally' is the wordplay.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'affair' becomes 'matter' (synonyms).
'naturally' becomes 'of course' (synonyms).
'a'+'matter'+'ofcourse'='A MATTER OF COURSE'

'have' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for a matter of course that I've seen before include "Someone covering Aintree" , "routine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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