Genk vs Cukaricki prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 17:45.
Belgian side Genk are in need of a final matchday miracle if theyāre to progress to the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) knockout round play-offs from Group F, since they currently trail second-place FerencvĆ”ros by three points. Genk therefore have to win while hoping FerencvĆ”ros simultaneously lose their last match, and should that be the case, their fate will be decided by goal difference or goals scored thereafter since both H2Hs against FerencvĆ”ros were drawn.
The Smurfs will be expected to at least hold up their end of the deal as they face bottom of the table ÄukariÄki, who have lost all five of their group matches. The Cegeka Arena faithful will be taking nothing for granted come kick-off, especially since Genk have been victorious in only one of their last 13 home matches in European competition (D6, L6).
The visitors will be looking to end their first ever UEFA group stage campaign by getting their first points on the board, in what has been a rude awakening to life on the continental circuit. Their Group F campaign merely serves to extend ÄukariÄkiās struggles in Europe as a whole, as theyāre currently riding a nine-game losing streak across all UEFA tournaments.
The manner in which theyāve lost their group games is what will haunt manager Igor MatiÄ and his troops, having not only conceded the joint-most goals in the UECL group stage with 14, but also scoring the joint-fewest with just two. Hitting the back of the net hasnāt been a problem since their last UECL outing though, with the Highlanders scoring ten times en route to winning their last three matches.
Players to watch: Joseph Paintsil was the hero with a goal and an assist in Genkās 2-0 win over ÄukariÄki in October, which has contributed to him losing only once in 32 goalscoring outings for Genk (W24, D7). The visitors will be looking to ÄorÄe IvanoviÄ to throw a potential spanner in the works early, since six of his last eight goals served as the match opener.
Hot stat: All but one of Genkās last seven home games produced over 3.5 goals.