Our prediction for this Belgium Pro League match:
All eyes will be on Jan Breydel Stadion when Club Brugge and Genk face each other in the Jupiler League derby. The title holders have been producing excellent displays in the national championship ever since they suffered elimination in the Champions League, and, no doubt, they are determined to get their job done. The good news for the hosts is that Vanaken returns from suspension, but all Dennis, Mitrovic, and Peres are likely to miss the game with injuries.
Ten-man Genk, on the other hand, played out a 1-1 draw with Genk in midweek. De Smurfen will be without important defender Cuesta Figueroa in Sunday’s clash, meaning that away win should not be considered. Given Club Brugge’s thrilling form, we believe that punters can find value in betting on the league leaders. In their last meeting in the Jupiler League Club Brugge defeated Genk 2-1.
Highlighted Player (Simon Mignolet):
Simon Luc Hildebert Mignolet is a Belgium goalkeeper born on 6 March 1988 in Sint-Truiden. He began his career in a club from his hometown, making 100 league appearances for Sint-Truidense before moving to Sunderland in 2010.
Mignolet would go on to spent next four years at the Stadium of Light, making 90 Premier League appearances. As one of world’s most talented goalkeepers, the Belgium international signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2013, and he has since been the club’s first choice goalkeeper. Performing admirably most of the time, but also committing cheap mistakes at times, Mignolet has yet to win over the Liverpool fans, but remains highly regarded in his native country.
The talented shot-stopper has been a member of the Belgium national team since 2011, earning over 20 caps for the Red Devils, but he has been playing second fiddle to Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois over the last few years.
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.