Genk vs Fiorentina prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-09-20 16:45.
After a one-year absence from European competition, Genk make their UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) debut on Thursday looking to back up a solid start to the domestic season. Wouter Vrancken’s side are unbeaten in each of their last four league matches (W2, D2), while they’ve won six of their last seven in all competitions (L1), with the sole defeat over 90 minutes coming in UECL qualification against Adana Demirspor – a tie they eventually won on penalties.
One area Genk can certainly improve on is their home form, as they’ve won just one of their six fixtures at the Cegeka Arena this season across 90 minutes (D4, L1). Correcting that could be key to progression from a European group stage for the first time since 2018/19, but that certainly won’t come easily here as they gear up for a first-ever H2H meeting with Fiorentina.
The Italian outfit will be looking to go one better this year, after a 90th minute goal handed them defeat against West Ham in last year’s UECL final. Boss Vincenzo Italiano said after that final that he “wouldn’t wish this on anyone” as his side lost a second final in as many weeks after their Coppa Italia disappointment, but the summer break appears to have done his players good, with only Inter Milan beating Fiorentina in Serie A action so far this season.
That solid start continued with a 3-2 victory over Atalanta at the weekend, in which Fiorentina battled from behind to claim a result Italiano hopes will inspire his side to make a better start to their group stage campaign this year, as they began their 2022/23 UECL campaign by failing to win their first two matches (D1, L1).
Players to watch: Subject of significant transfer interest from English clubs over the summer, Genk’s Joseph Paintsil is his side’s good luck charm – they’re unbeaten in each of the last 18 games he’s scored in (W15, D3). Fiorentina’s Nicolás González has been instrumental already this campaign, scoring twice as the Viola saw off Rapid Vienna in qualifying for the group stage.
Hot stat: There have been ten goals scored across Fiorentina’s three competitive away matches this season (W1, L2).