Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
Charleroi and Genk go head to head at Stade du Pays de Charleroi in the Conference League group game. Genk aim to regain top position, and they must be high on spirits following back-to-back wins over Gent and Mechelen. Theo Bongonda is widely expected to return to the starting XI after the DR Congo international scored a brace in the last league match, while there are no fresh injury worries in the away team.
The Black and Whites, on the other hand, have slim chances of securing their place in the Conference League, and given Genk’s fine form, we predict that the visitors will return home empty-handed. As for the visiting side, Mbenza is widely expected to replace Badji in the starting XI. In their last meeting in the Belgian top flight Genk outplayed Charleroi 4-2, and we predict that the history is going to repeat itself.
Highlighted Player (Patrik Hrosovsky):
Born in Prievidza, Czechoslovakia, Patrik Hrosovsky is a midfielder who plays for Viktoria Plzen. Patrik Hrosovsky started his youth career at his hometown club Prievidza and he played for the youth team of Trencin as well before joining Viktoria Plzen.
The Slovakian footballer has been playing for the Viktorka ever since, but it has to be noted that he played for the likes of Sokolov, Usti nad Labem and Znojmo on loan as well. Patrik Hrosovsky made his Slovakia debut on November 19, 2014 in a friendly game against Finland.
His main position is central midfield, but he is capable of playing as both defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder as well. Hrosovsky has yet to find the net with the Slovakia national football team, but he found the net for the U21 team in a 7-1 win over Luxembourg at the 2015 European Championship. He has a contract with Viktoria Plzen which expires on June 30, 2019.
Highlighted Team (Genk):
Founded in 1988, Genk are considered one of the youngest clubs in Belgium. Luminus Arena is the home stadium of the club, the capacity of the venue is 24 956 and it was built in 1999. Speaking of UEFA matches, the stadium can hold 21 500 spectators.
Genk clinched one Belgian Pro League trophy in the 20th century, with the team winning the 1989/1999 title. They finished the season with 73 points, two points clear of second-placed Club Brugge. Genk won their second domestic trophy in 2002 and the team lifted the Belgian Pro League title in 2011 as well. Speaking of the Belgian Cup, the club clinched their fourth trophy in the competition in 2013.
The club is well known for their brilliant school and you should bear in mind that the likes of Steven Defour, Christian Benteke, Thibaut Courtois, Divock Origi and Kevin De Bruyne are all products of Genk’s football academy.