The Belgian Pro League clash between Genk and Royal Antwerp is set to be an intriguing encounter, with both teams striving to improve their recent form.
Scheduled for Monday evening at Cegeka Arena, this match holds significant implications for the playoff standings.
Current Form and Standings
Genk
Genk, currently in fifth place in the Champions' playoffs, have had a challenging run, losing their last four league games.
Despite this, they have accumulated 34 points from their eight playoff matches, with three wins, one draw, and four losses.
They are just two points behind Cercle Brugge, the team occupying the Europa League second qualifying round position.
Antwerp
On the other hand, Royal Antwerp, last season's Belgian Pro League champions, are struggling this season, sitting in sixth place.
They have only one win and seven losses in the playoffs, trailing Genk by five points. Their last victory came against Cercle Brugge on April 21.
Team News
Genk will miss Luca Oyen due to a long-term knee injury, while Bryan Heynen, Yira Sor, and Aziz Ouattara are doubtful.
Tolu Arokodare, Genk's top scorer with 15 goals, will lead the attack alongside Andi Zeqiri and Bilal El Khannouss.
Royal Antwerp faces injury concerns with Jean Butez and Bjorn Engels doubtful. However, they will see the return of their leading scorer, Vincent Janssen, who has netted 17 times this season.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, with five goals from midfield, will also be a key player for the visitors.
Prediction
Given both teams' recent struggles, this match is expected to be a tightly contested affair.
Genk secured a narrow 1-0 victory in their last meeting with Antwerp, and another close game is likely.
A low-scoring draw seems a plausible outcome, with our prediction being Genk 1-1 Royal Antwerp.
Genk 
Antwerp FC 
