Prediction: Prediction: Genk vs Olympiacos

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure on Thursday night, Olympiacos will travel to Belgium when they meet Genk for their second-leg showdown.

Genk

Starting with the hosts, while Genk might have put in a gritty first-leg performance while on foreign soil last week, Wouter Vrancken’s men would have been frustrated by their close-fought 1-0 loss. However, although Racing might have made a crucial return to winning ways over the weekend as they landed a 1-0 victory away at Cercle Brugge while on domestic duties, the Belgium giants have struggled with their consistency since opening the 2023/24 campaign. Despite edging past Swiss outfit Servette earlier in the month following a nail-biting penalties victory, Genk will know that they need a far more polished display on Thursday night. Suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of Rapid Vienna in their last Europa League showdown on home soil back in December 2021, Vrancken’s side do hold a downbeat European record in front of their own supporters. In fact, Racing have mustered just a single point from their last four Europa League contests at the Cegeka Arena.

Team News

Picking up a qualifying knock against Servette earlier in the month, Genk will once again be without 26-year-old Bryan Heynen on Thursday night. However, forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Cercle Brugge over the weekend, USA international Mark McKenzie will make a full return here.

Although 22-year-old Toluwalase Emmanuel Arokodare might have notched just a single strike in any of his last five appearances, the ex-Amiens striker will lead Vrancken’s attack in midweek.

Olympiacos

As for the visitors, while Olympiacos might have signed off their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Norwich, the Greek icons would have taken positives away from their first-leg performance last week. Eventually clinging to that 1-0 victory at the Karaiskakis Stadium, Diego Martinez’s men will be desperate to finish off their qualifying job on Thursday night. Snatching a bronze medal finish among Greece’s elite back in May as they mounted a late charge, the Thrylos have their sights set on mounting a genuine title run this time around. However, although Olympiacos might travel out to Belgium holding a marginal advantage here, it is fair to say that Martinez’s side hold a woeful Europa League record on foreign soil. In fact, the midweek guests have remarkably recorded just a single win within 90 minutes from any of their previous 10 straight appearances outside of Piraeus.

Team News

Bagging a first-leg winner against Genk last week and opening his account for the season, Greek international Konstantinos Fortounis will once again join Youssef El Arabi in the final third.

Returning from a loan stint with Estoril last season, former Benfica midfielder Joao Carvalho should keep his spot on Thursday night. 29-year-old Nicolas Freire will once again partner Panagitos Retsos at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg showdown at the Karaiskakis Stadium last week, Olympiacos picked up a 1-0 victory.
• However, Thursday’s guests have remarkably claimed just a single win within 90 minutes from any of their last 10 straight Europa League contests on foreign soil.
• Likewise, Genk have mustered just a single point from any of their previous four Europa League contests on foreign soil.
• Olympiacos have failed to record more than a single strike in seven of their last eight Europa League showdowns on foreign soil.
• Each of Genk’s last three appearances across all competitions have seen under 1.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

While Olympiacos might arrive in Belgium on Thursday night holding a marginal 1-0 advantage, neutrals could be treated to another cagey affair in midweek. With the Greek heavyweights remarkably winning just one of their previous 10 Europa League away fixtures within 90 minutes, Genk have also shown some extended issues in the final third. It should be noted, with Racing bagging just a single strike from any of their last three appearances across all competitions, we are expecting chances to come at a premium here.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet