KRC Genk are set to host champions Club Brugge at the Cegeka Arena in Belgium's Pro League on Sunday in each side's third game of the league season.
The home side are 14th with one point and a goal difference of minus two, while the visitors are 12th with a minus one goal difference.
Match preview
![Head coach Nicky Hayen reacts during a soccer match between Standard de Liege and Club Brugge on Sunday August 4, 2024 [on August 9, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/nicky-hayen.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Head coach Nicky Hayen reacts during a soccer match between Standard de Liege and Club Brugge on Sunday August 4, 2024 [on August 9, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts lost 3-1 last time out on August 3 against Leuven despite dominating many of the match's attacking metrics.
Genk generated nearly two and a half xG, had 64% possession and had 18 shots, seven of which were on target.
In their first league game against Standard Liege on July 28, in which they drew 0-0, they failed to score despite having 75% possession and producing 20 shots.
Genk have so far averaged the most possession, the second most accurate passes per match and the third most touches in the opposition box of any team in the top flight.
Though manager Thorsten Fink might argue that his players have been unlucky in front of goal, he will be unable to ignore the defensive frailty of his side, who conceded 11 shots and four big chances against Leuven.
Fink has only been in charge for two competitive matches so far, but Genk's home form in the Belgian Pro League has been mixed, with just two wins in their last five games at the Cegeka Arena.
![Karetsas Konstantinos midfielder of KRC Genk and Fink Thorsten head coach of KRC Genk during the Jupiler Pro League match between KRC Genk and Standard de Liege - July 28, 2024 [August 1, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/karetsas-konstantinos-and-fink-thorsten.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Karetsas Konstantinos midfielder of KRC Genk and Fink Thorsten head coach of KRC Genk during the Jupiler Pro League match between KRC Genk and Standard de Liege - July 28, 2024 [August 1, 2024]")
© Imago
This weekend's visitors lost 1-0 against Standard Liege on August 4, though they wasted a number of chances in front of goal.
Club Brugge had 68% possession, 16 shots and played 465 accurate passes in comparison to Standard Liege's 186.
In their first top-flight match against Mechelen, who they drew 1-1 with on July 26, Blauw-Zwart also had 27 shots and 58% possession.
Manager Nicky Hayen has only been in charge since March 2024 and has overseen nine wins, five draws and three losses.
Hayen will be concerned that while his side did have 16 shots last time out against Standard Liege, they also conceded 10 efforts.
Prior to their defeat last week, Club Brugge had won their previous five away league games, and they have also beaten Genk three times in a row by a cumulative scoreline of 10-0.
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Team News
The hosts will continue to be without Luca Oyen, who is expected to be out until November due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Bilal El Khannous and Zakaria El Ouahdi are also set to miss out for Genk because of their recent participation in the Olympics for Morocco.
As for the visitors, Bjorn Meijer could miss out as a result of a knee injury, while Kyriani Sabbe is also a doubt.
Andreas Skov Olsen did not start either of Club Brugge's games so far this season, but considering he scored 14 league goals last term, he could come into the starting XI this weekend.
Genk possible starting lineup:
Penders; Sadick, Smets, Ditu; Fadera, Bangoura, Hrosovsky, Baah; Sor, Arokodare, Steuckers
Club Brugge possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Siquet, Mechele, Romero, De Cuyper; Nielsen, Jashari; Olsen, Vanaken, Tzolis; Nilsson
We say: Genk 1-3 Club Brugge
While both teams have been unlucky in front of goal, Genk have been more vulnerable defensively in their opening two games.
Additionally, Club Brugge's strong record against their hosts in recent clashes should make them favourites on Sunday once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
