Genk vs Lech Poznan Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Genk had it all their own way against minnows in the last round, as they won 8-1 on aggregate, though the Belgians could find themselves being tested far more when they welcome Polish side Lech to Cristal Arena on Thursday evening.

It’s fair to say that Genk have made a pleasing start to the campaign; they’ve won three of their four competitive matches, are unbeaten, while they’ve scored an impressive 14 goals. However, if we scratch beneath the surface, it’s easy to feel that they’ve not been as impressive as the bare results suggest.

While they did cruise to victory in the last round, beating a team from Luxembourg is hardly anything shout about. It’s true that you can only beat what’s in front of you, though such an easy route may not have done Genk any favours. After getting the better of Fola in the first-leg, Philippe Clement’s men made light work of defeating a poor Lokeren side on the opening weekend of the Belgian Pro League, though they failed to back up an easy second-leg win against Fola when hosting St. Truiden last time out. On that occasion, try as they might, Genk were unable to come out on top.

Perhaps it was just an off day that led to them drawing 1-1 against an opponent who they really ought to have beaten with a relative amount of ease, or perhaps it’s the effects of already playing Thursday/Sunday. Having said that, their performance wasn’t overly bad, and if their end-product improves, there’s no reason why they cannot add to the nine goals that they’ve already scored in UEL qualifying.

Unlike Genk, Lech followed up last week’s Europa League victory with an away-day win in the league at the weekend. However, Thursday’s visitors didn’t exactly make light work of coming through the last round, even though they were not facing the greatest of opponents. Against Belarusian side Soligorsk, Lech were unable to win in 90 minutes at home or away. A couple of extra-time goals on their own patch saw them through in the end, but an unconvincing performance will need to be improved upon on this occasion.

Of the two, by beating a half-decent side, it is Lech who’ve achieved more in qualifying so far, though Genk are the team with the better record in this competition. On their own patch, the Belgian side have an almost flawless record in this competition, but they’ve not often battered teams, or rather they haven’t won many matches in the manner that their odds suggest they should do here. Prior to facing the very poor Fola, Gent have drawn two and recorded a couple of 1-0 victories in their last four UEL home matches.

What’s more, given that the hosts couldn’t get the better of St.Truiden on Sunday, it’s not overly difficult to see Lech going to Cristal and frustrating. The visitors have lost just one of their eight matches on the road, while they’ve recorded some pleasing results away from home in the Europa League in recent years, drawing against both Utrecht and Belenenses and beating  Videoton and Fiorentina.

The Poles probably won’t be too adventurous but having seen a poor St. Truiden side frustrate the hosts at the weekend, they’ll fancy their chances of holding out. At the prices, backing Ivan Đurđević to avoid defeat, with the insurance that the Asian handicap provides, is the way to go.