Our prediction for this Europa League match:
There will be fireworks when Genk and Rapid Wien face each other at Cegeka Arena in a highly-anticipated Europa League game. Genk are in a position to make it to both Europa League and Conference League playoffs, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Rapid. The good news for the hosts is that both Cuesta and Munoz have recovered from their respective injuries, while goalkeeper Tobe Leysen remains in the recovery room.
The Austrians, on the other hand, head into the match following a 1-1 draw with Austria Wien. Since a win over Genk will see Rapid book their place in the Conference League knockout stages, we are positive that the visitors will adopt an attack-minded approach as well. Anyhow, home win should be considered as Genk have turned their Cegeka Arena into a real fortress.
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 (Rapid Vienna):
Rapid Wien are considered the most successful club in the history of Austrian football. In 2008 the capital club won their 32th domestic title and in 1995 they clinched their 15th Austrian Cup trophy. Die Grun-Weissen were founded back in 1898 as Erster Wiener Arbeiter-Fussball-Club and one year later the club was renamed to Sportklub Rapid Wien.
In 1904 the club’s colours were changed to green and white and they have been wearing green and white shirts ever since. In 1985 Rapid made it to the Cup Winners Cup final and it has to be noted that they participated in the final competition in 1996 as well. Famous German footballer Lothar Matthaus was in charge of the team between September 2001 and May 2002, but he failed to record a good result with the Weststadion outfit.
Weststadion has been the home ground of Rapid Wien since 16 July, 2016 and you should bear in mind that the capacity of the stadium is 28 000. Rapid’s fiercest rivals are Austria Wien.