Genk vs Anderlecht Predictions

Genk had been storming along prior to the international break, though they were unable to get the better of a defiant Kortrijk side in their final game before being afforded time off, despite taking the lead not once but twice. Having drawn 3-3 last time out, Genk will be hoping to regain the winning thread when they welcome Anderlecht to Cristal Arena on Saturday evening.

By scoring three goals last time out, Genk continued to post impressive figures in the final third. Going forward, Saturday’s hosts have been massively impressive this season; they’re playing attacking football and are being rewarded with lots of goals. However, frailties at the back are very much apparent, as their recent 3-3 draw suggests.

For all their attacking play has been strong, Philippe Clement’s men have continued to defend poorly. They’ve kept just two clean sheets, which came on match-days one and three. Since then, Genk have conceded a rather worrying six goals, while they’ve conceded at least twice in each of their last two matches. Considering that Anderlecht are a better side than both Kortrijk and Waasland, it’s easy to see the visitors causing Genk’s dodgy back-line some serious problems.

Like their hosts, Anderlecht have also looked good in the final third. The visitors have scored a more than useful 15 goals, which is just one less than Genk, though they too have been giving teams a real chance by defending poorly. Anderlecht have also shipped seven goals in their first six matches, while they’ve kept just one clean sheet.

The visitors are now without a win in two, though they’ve had two tough games, and while facing Genk won’t be easy, it’s fair to say that the visitors ought to be suited by the open nature of the hosts. After all, Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s men have done well in the final third against teams who’re willing to come onto them.

Both Genk and Anderlecht are very useful in the final third, though it is the visitors who make more appeal at the prices. Given how Genk have allowed teams to get in behind them this season, it’s easy to envisage Anderlecht, who’ve thrived against open teams such as Oostende and Kortrijk, doing well in the final third. Against a home side that has conceded at least twice in each of their last four matches (in all competitions), Anderlecht are backed to find the net at least twice.