Genk vs Betis: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups

On Thursday evening, Genk will host Real Betis in a crucial UEFA Europa League match at the Cegeka Arena. This encounter is part of matchday three, with both teams looking to secure vital points. Genk will aim to rebound from a recent setback, while Betis seeks to maintain their solid European form.

Match Preview

Genk started their Europa League campaign positively, kicking off with a 1-0 win against Rangers due to Oh Hyeon-gyu’s decisive second-half goal. However, their momentum faltered in the second game, where they lost 1-0 to Ferencvaros. Barnabas Varga’s first-half strike proved crucial in that match.

Currently, Genk sits ninth in the Belgian Pro League, accumulating 15 points from 11 matches. Their record includes four wins, three draws, and four losses. Notably, they have managed only one loss in their last five games. However, defensive issues persist, as they have not kept a clean sheet in four consecutive outings. Their most recent match ended in a 2-2 draw against Cercle Bruges, where goals from Patrik Hrosovsky and Oh salvaged a point. The team hopes to leverage home-field advantage to secure a second European victory this season.

Real Betis Outlook

Real Betis enters the match with confidence, having demonstrated their European capabilities. Their campaign began with a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, with an 85th-minute equalizer from Antony. They followed this with a 2-0 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad, thanks to goals from Giovani Lo Celso and an own goal by Son.

Betis is currently unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, with their only setback being a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in August. They recently displayed resilience by drawing 2-2 with Villarreal, coming back from two goals down, largely thanks to Antony’s brace.

Team News

• Genk: Without goalkeeper Tobias Lawal (knee injury) and defender Zakaria El Ouahdi (shoulder injury). Coach Thorsten Fink is expected to field Oh as the main striker, supported by Yira Sor. Midfielders Hrosovsky, Jarne Steuckers, and Bryan Heynen are set to retain their places.
• Real Betis: Missing Isco (broken leg) and Cedric Bakambu (muscle injury). Cucho Hernandez leads the attack supported by Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli. Pablo Fornals, Marc Roca, and Sofyan Amrabat will likely fill the midfield roles.

Predicted Lineups

Genk’s Possible Starting XI

Real Betis’s Possible Starting XI

Match Prediction

Given Genk’s attacking potential paired with their defensive vulnerabilities, we predict a tightly contested match. Betis, showcasing a more stable performance overall, is likely to capitalize on Genk’s weaknesses. The forecast leans towards a 2-1 victory for Real Betis.