One of the most high-profile match-ups will take place this Sunday between Belgian giants Genk and Club Brugge. Last season’s top two are separated by 6 points in the Jupiler Pro League rankings, and the home team will be desperate to pick up a win to keep pace with their rivals.
Due to their disappointing form, Genk will go into the tie as underdogs. You can back them to upset the odds with Bet777.be at 3.05. Club Brugge are also in need of victory, with league leaders St. Gilloise going 7 points of the reigning Champions. You can back the visitors to pick up all 3 points at 2.25, with a draw priced at football odds of 3.50.
We’ve previewed the game and provided some sports betting tips to help you with your picks this weekend. Place your football bets with Bet777.be – the best place for online bets and live betting on the Jupiler Pro League rankings.
Onuachu Form Costing Genk
Both Teams to Score No Draw – 2.10
On the face of it, 10 goals in 14 league appearances for Paul Onuachu seems like a good return. But when you factor in that 7 of those were scored in 4 consecutive games, his current dip in form becomes more apparent. The Nigerian has scored just once in his last 9 games in all competitions, a run that features 6 defeats. Due to their defensive frailties, if Genk are to stand any chance of beating the Champions, Onuachu must be firing on all cylinders.
Although any potential win will likely come through Genk’s attacking trio, it is the midfield that will play a crucial role in taking the points. The preferred trio in their 4-3-3 consists of Patrik Hrosovsky, Bryan Heynen and Kristian Thorstvedt. The former is key in breaking up play and recycling possession, whilst the latter two are more important in ball retention and progression. All three will play an important role in monitoring the forward runs of Hans Vanaken and Ruud Vormer, but will also be tasked with trying to maintain possession and gain territory.
If the home side are able to win that midfield battle, they will be able to bring the likes of Joseph Paintsil and Junya Ito into the game, who have the pace and technical ability to cause Brugge’s full-backs problems and get balls into the box for Onuachu. Genk are already 13 points off the league leaders and a defeat would see them fall 9 points behind the Champions in the Jupiler Pro League rankings – it is a must win for John van den Brom.
Surprise Emergence of Bas Dost
Club Brugge Win and Over 2.5 Goals – 3.25
If it weren’t for the unbelievable form of St. Gilloise, Club Brugge would probably still be the favourites to retain their title. They have the fewest number of losses in the division (2), but Philippe Clement’s side have struggled to turn draws into victories – only two teams have drawn more games. They have a lacked a cutting edge in some games and have turned to experienced striker Bas Dost to lead the line in recent weeks.
The Dutchman didn’t feature too much in the opening weeks of the season, but has since been a key player for Brugge, netting 4 times in his last 3 league games. With the injury to Genk’s Carlos Cuesta, it is likely Dost will come up against a centre-half pairing of Jhon Lucumi and Mujaid Sadick. At 23 and 21 years old, Dost will likely cause the youthful pair problems with his attacking positioning and know-how in the box. Noa Lang and Charles de Ketelaere will be tasked with causing havoc through their interchanging play, which will provide space for the midfield runners who have been so important in Brugge’s attacking play this season.
This match-up always promises to be an exciting affair, but given the recent performances of both sides, Club Brugge will be far more confident of securing the points. They have been defensively solid all campaign, but have sometimes struggled with being clinical in front of goal. They are favourites going into this game with Bet777.be and a win is imperative in ensuring they don’t slip too far behind St. Gilloise in the Jupiler Pro League rankings.
*Odds correct at time of publish.
