Competition: Belgium First Division
Market: Genk win
Odds: 4/11 @ 888sport
Looking to widen their buffer at the top of the Jupiler League on Friday night, Genk will welcome KV Mechelen to the Luminus Arena.
Starting with the hosts, while Genk might have endured a real public struggle last season, there is no doubt that the Belgium giants have put those issues behind them. In the midst of what has been a stunning run of form since opening the 2022/23 campaign, Wouter Vrancken’s men open this weekend’s fixtures holding a four-point buffer at the top of the table. Tipped as a standout pick to reclaim their domestic crown and clinch a European return, the Smurfs were last seen cruising their way to an eye-catching 3-1 victory away at Antwerp. Likewise, on a run that is highlighted by a thumping 6-1 romp at home against Westerlo earlier in the month, Genk have now won each of their previous seven top-flight outings. Already mustering 37 points from their opening 14 Jupiler League appearances, Vrancken’s side should be looking to make a statement here.
As for the visitors, although KV Mechelen’s men might have found a much-needed boost after picking up back-to-back top-flight wins, Steven Defour’s men will know that they face a huge task on Friday night. Making the trip to Genk still battling it out in the bottom-half of the table, the one-time Burnley winger has seen his side show some extended issues on the road since opening the 2022/23 campaign. Last seen on their travels getting hit with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Gent earlier in the month, the Antwerp-based outfit have lost three of their previous four Jupiler away fixtures. Likewise, shipping over 2.5 goals in each of those three defeats, KV Mechelen men will also be worried by their most recent trip to the league leaders. Suffering a 4-2 defeat in their last visit to Genk, we’re backing a similar home win here.
Bet: Genk 4/11 to beat KV Mechelen in Friday’s Belgian First Division showdown @ 888sport
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