As the Belgian domestic campaign resumes following the conclusion of the World Cup, Genk will be looking to maintain their super form when they host Anderlecht in the Belgian Cup at Genk Park. Genk have enjoyed a sensational domestic campaign thus far and, following the one-month-long shutdown, returns to action boasting a dominant 10-point advantage in the domestic championship. Winning 11 successive matches prior to the break, Genk returned to action last week with wins in friendly matches against Heerenveen (3-1), Metz. (1-0) and Elche (3-2). Collecting an impressive 46 points from just 17 games, the hosts have dropped just 2 points in their last 16 league matches thanks to a sensational 15 wins in 16 matches. Genk´s only loss this season came in their first game of the league season at Brugge. At Genk Park, the home side have been particularly impressive, with seven and one draw in eight matches. Scoring 2 goals or more in six of those victories, Genk have rattled in an outstanding 29 goals in those seven wins. Genk played all three matches with the strongest team, and there is no reason why it should not be the same today. And Genk really have some top players in their ranks. The top scorer of the league is the dominant Onuachu with 13 goals who has fantastic support from two very important players for Genk's recent success. Joseph Paintsil and Tresor Ndayishimiye have a very important role in creating their team's attack. The two of them together scored 11 goals and registered as many as 19 assists, of which Tresor Ndayishimiye had an impressive 13! In addition to such an offensive team, Anderlecht will have many problems.
Anderlecht has been struggling in the league lately, currently sitting down 11th spot, the home side will be confident of taking advantage of an opponent that has also lost three of their last five away league matches while winning just once. Like Genk, they played 3 friendly matches during the break and I must say that they did not have much success. The opponents were not at all attractive in my opinion (Rakow, OFI Crete and Panetolikos) and they only got one win with two draws. That Anderlecht has a lot of problems this season is also shown by the fact that they played all three friendly matches with the strongest team, but even that was not enough for them. As expected, due to somewhat worse results, there was a change of coach and this will be the first competitive match for Brian Riemer. I'm not sure how well he managed to prepare the team in such a short time for one of the toughest opponents he could face at the moment. The recent head-to-head matches also makes favorable reading for Genk, with the home side winning 4 and losing just 1 of their last 6 matches against Anderlecht since March 2021. Genk is a much better and more stable club at the moment and I'm sure they want to continue their unbeaten streak against one of their biggest rivals.
