Astra vs Genk Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Astra managed to navigate their way through a potentially tricky group stage in this season’s Europa League to make it into the knockout stages for the first time in their history. They ended the six games with just eight points, but it was two more than 3rd placed Viktoria Plzen and four adrift of overwhelming favourites for the top spot, Roma.

Since then their competitive fixtures have been a bit limited by the winter break, but they returned to domestic action with a 1-0 win over Targu Mures last Friday and have now gone six competitive games without defeat.

The Romanians have endured some tough spells this season though, and that leaves them in a disappointing 7th position in the Romanian Liga I. The added demands of further European football alongside their domestic duties could take it’s toll on them.

Genk aren’t having the best of times domestically either though, lying 7th in the Belgian First Division. They have picked up a fairly impressive 41 points from their 26 games though, so all is not lost for them yet.

The visitors have a decent amount of experience at this stage of the competition as well, getting to the final 32 in each of the last three times they have qualified for the Europa League – In 2012/13, 2013/14, and this season.

This season they were very impressive, as they won four of their six group games and beat Athletic to the top spot by two points. They did lose twice though, as their defence failed catastrophically against Rapid Wien and Athletic away from home. This resulted in a 3-2 defeat and a 5-3 defeat, meaning we could see some entertainment on Thursday.

A few of Astra’s games resulted in some high scoring affairs too, with four of their six group games having at least three goals scored. Half of Genk’s group matches were high scoring games, so odds of 23/20 for Over 2.5 Goals look good value for money, considering both teams’ potential for defensive collapse. I think Genk can get the win though, so I’m going for a 2-1 correct score predictions at 17/2.