Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in the Belgian Pro League on Monday evening, with Genk welcoming Royal Antwerp to Cegeka Arena.
Genk, who have lost their last four league fixtures, occupy fifth position in the Champions' playoffs, while Royal Antwerp sit sixth, five points behind their opponents in this contest.
Match preview
© Reuters
Genk have a record of three wins, one draw and four defeats from their eight matches in the Champions' playoffs, with 34 points leaving them in fifth position in the table, five points ahead of sixth-placed Royal Antwerp.
The Blue-Whites are two points behind fourth-place Cercle Brugge, meanwhile, with that spot proving to be a Europa League second qualifying round position for the 2024-25 campaign.
As it stands, they are qualifying for the European competition playoff, which would see them take on Gent - the winner of the Europe playoffs - in a single match to determine which side qualifies for European football.
Wouter Vrancken's side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Anderlecht last time out, and they have lost each of their last four league matches, with their last success proving to be a 2-1 win over Anderlecht on April 20.
Genk, who will take on Union SG in their last league match on April 26, are four-time winners of the Belgian First Division, with their last success coming in 2018-19.
© Reuters
Royal Antwerp, meanwhile, are the reigning Belgian Pro League champions, claiming their fifth title last season, with the success proving to be the first at that level since the 1956-57 campaign.
The Reds have found it difficult this season, though, and they currently sit down in sixth spot in the Champions' playoffs, boasting a record of one win and seven losses from their eight games in the section.
Mark van Bommel's side are on a five-game losing run in all competitions, including a 2-1 defeat to Cercle Brugge last time out, with their last victory actually coming against the same opponents on April 21.
Royal Antwerp are five points behind fifth-placed Genk in the Champions' playoffs, so it does appear that they will be missing out on European football for next season.
The team competed in the group stage of this season's Champions League and actually recorded a famous 3-2 victory over Barcelona, but they lost their other five games to finish at the bottom of Group H.
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Genk will again definitely be without the services of Luca Oyen due to a long-term knee injury, while Bryan Heynen, Yira Sor and Aziz Ouattara are fitness doubts.
Tolu Arokodare has been the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on 15 occasions, and the 23-year-old will again feature in the final third of the field.
Andi Zeqiri has netted eight times in all competitions this term and will also operate in an attacking area, while Bilal El Khannouss is set to retain his starting role for the hosts.
As for Royal Antwerp, Jean Butez and Bjorn Engels are both major doubts for Monday's contest, but the visitors have not reported any other injury problems.
There will also be a return from suspension for leading goalscorer Vincent Janssen, who has found the back of the net on 17 occasions in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp has scored five times from central midfield this season, meanwhile, and he will again be in the XI for the Reds on Monday night.
Genk possible starting lineup:
Vandevoordt; Sadick, Cuesta, McKenzie; El Ouahdi, Galarza, Hrosovsky, Kayembe; Zeqiri, El Khannouss, Arokodare
Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup:
Lammens; De Laet, Alderweireld, Van Den Bosch, Bataille; Kerk, Ekkelenkamp, Yusuf, Ondrejka, Ejuke; Janssen
We say: Genk 1-1 Royal Antwerp
Genk recorded a 1-0 victory when these two teams locked horns last month, and we are expecting another tight match on Monday night. It would not be a surprise to see a home or indeed an away win, but we are backing a low-scoring draw at Cegeka Arena.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.