Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk on and what time does it start? Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – 17:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk in the UK? Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
UNION SAINT-GILLOISE
As an affiliate of Brighton and Hove Albion, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are able to soak up losses in personnel and rebuild quickly to challenge at the top of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. That has been the case, once again, this summer, with the sale of Victor Boniface but impressive manager Alexander Blessin, formerly of Genoa, remains in the dugout in Brussels.
Union SG began the 2023/24 Belgian top-flight campaign with a derby day victory over Anderlecht. They won their opening three matches of the campaign but then picked up one point from their most recent two games. That can be slightly explained by their attention turning to their UEFA Europa League playoff triumph against Swiss Super League side Lugano.
GENK
Throughout last season, Genk were top-of-the-table in the Belgian top-flight but eventually faded down ahead of the championship round. Wouter Vrancken’s men lost the league title on the final day of the season in what was a very, very disappointing second-half of the campaign; which they have continued on into the start of this season.
Vrancken remains in charge despite the fact that Genk spent the early stages of this campaign being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League then the UEFA Europa League and then the UEFA Europa Conference League. As well as that, they have managed just two wins in their opening five matches of the league season with those two victories coming against newly-promoted RWDM as well as Cercle Brugge.
THE TEAM NEWS
UNION SAINT-GILLOISE
Union SG have pretty much a fully fit and available squad but they will be without former Accrington defender Ross Sykes who is still coping with a slight injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Moris; Mac Allister, Burgess, Machida; Terho, Amani, Vanhoutte, Lapoussin; Rasmussen, Puertas; Eckert
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Sykes (Injured)
GENK
Wouter Vrancken could well make some changes for this weekend’s trip to Brussels as he searches for some consistency in terms of his team’s performance.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Vandevoordt; Munoz, Cuesta, McKenzie, Arteaga; Heynen, Galarza, El Khannouss; Sor, Paintsil, Oyen
UNAVAILABLE: Baah (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Ndayishimiye (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise began the campaign like a train but have stumbled slightly, albeit their only really poor result was a defeat against Mechelen in bizarre circumstances whereby they were the better side for much of the game but conceded three goals after the 77th minute to crumble. They now face a Genk side that have struggled for any fluency pretty much throughout the calendar year and Union SG, especially with their home advantage, are the favourites for this one.
TIP: UNION SG TO WIN
