In their final game of the Championship Round in the Belgian Pro League, Genk will host out-of-form Anderlecht at Cegeka Arena on Sunday.
KRC will be hoping to build on their win last time out, while the Purple and White will be looking to stop the rot this weekend.
Match preview
![Thorsten Fink (head coach of KRC Genk) during the Jupiler Pro League match between KRC Genk and Standard de Liege on July 28, 2024 [on August 9, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/thorsten-fink.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Thorsten Fink (head coach of KRC Genk) during the Jupiler Pro League match between KRC Genk and Standard de Liege on July 28, 2024 [on August 9, 2024]")
© Imago
Thorsten Fink's Genk were in a strong position going into the Championship Round, but after a six-game winless run that featured five losses between mid-April and mid-May, they are resigned to trying to qualify for the Europa League.
Last time out, KRC managed to take all three points in a 4-1 win over Gent, and though it was too late to make a difference to their season's outcome, the boss will be pleased with the way that his team came from behind to secure an emphatic victory.
Earning three points last Sunday brought Fink's side to 44 points, a tally that has them third in their group of the table, eight behind second-placed Club Brugge.
Hoping to end the campaign on a strong note in front of their own fans, the hosts will be aware that they have lost three on the bounce at Cegeka arena ahead of matchday 40, but their triumph at the weekend could inspire them to return to the type of form that saw go unbeaten on their own turf all season until late April.
Genk's 25th win of 2024-25 would put them in good stead ahead of their Europa League qualifiers, though considering that they have failed to score in either of their last two home games, their forwards will need to get back on track if they are to take maximum points.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Bensik Hasi's Anderlecht have endured a tough end to the campaign after losing the Belgian Cup final to Brugge, as well as losing back-to-back league games prior to this weekend's clash.
Last time out, the Purple and White had their painful cup final memories reaffirmed by FCB, who beat them 3-1 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium courtesy of three first-half goals from Romeo Vermant, Hans Vanaken and Christos Tzolis.
That defeat has Hasi's side fourth in the Championship Playoff with 36 points, eight behind their opponents and just five ahead of fifth-placed Antwerp.
As they look to get back to winning ways and put their lacklustre end to the season behind them, the visitors could take heart from the fact that they have won their two most recent matches on the road against Gent and the Great Old, though they did lose the prior three.
Another victory for Anderlecht would be their 19th of the season, taking them up to 39 points and potentially casting a more positive light on their situation before their Europa League qualifying campaign.
Team News
© Imago
Genk will welcome centre-back Matte Smets back into the XI this weekend after he served a suspension against Gent, with Josue Ndenge Kongolo likely to make way.
In the middle of the park, Nikolas Sattlberger and Patrik Hrosovsky will be looking to provide a foundation for the forwards to play from, and Konstantinos Karetas should start behind the striker.
Up top, Hyun-gyu Oh should be supported by Yira Collins Sor and Noah Adedeji-Sternberg from out wide, while Tolu Orokodare will be ready to come off the bench.
As for Anderlecht, captain Jan Vertonghen should start alongside Jan-Carlo Simic and Lucas Hey in Hasi's back three, with wing-backs Nilson Angulo and Tristan Degreef offering attacking support.
Elsewhere, Thorgan Hazard is likely to join Kasper Dolberg up front, while a trio of Leander Dendoncker, Mats Rits and Mario Stroeykens operate behind them.
Genk possible starting lineup:
Penders; Nkuba, Sadick, Smets, Medina; Sattlberger, Hrosovsky; Sor, Karetas, Adedeji-Sternberg; Oh
Anderlecht possible starting lineup:
Coosemans; Hey, Vertonghen, Simic; Angulo, Stroeykens, Dendoncker, Rits, Degreef; Dolberg, Hazard
We say: Genk 0-1 Anderlecht
Genk have struggled at home in recent weeks, and despite being eight points ahead of their opponents, they could find it tough this weekend.
Contrastingly, Anderlecht have won back-to-back games on the road prior to this fixture, and though they are in poor form overall, they could make it three on the bounce on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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