Prediction: Servette vs Genk

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two sides who will get their Champions League knockout stage adventure underway on Tuesday night, Servette will welcome Genk to the Stade de Geneve.

Servette

Starting with the hosts, opening their Super League campaign with a thumping display last weekend as they claimed a 3-1 romp away at Grasshoppers, Servette should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Snatching a silver medal finish among Switzerland’s elite last season, Rene Weiler’s men will be desperate to claim a crucial first-leg advantage on Tuesday night. Enjoying a hugely impressive pre-season flurry as they won each of their four friendly showdowns, the Maroons are unbeaten in each of their last 12 appearances across all competitions continuing on from the 2022/23 campaign. With some in Weiler’s camp looking to mount a genuine Super League charge this season, Servette have also gained a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend, Les Grenats should be excited to make a return to the Stade de Geneve here.

Team News

Servette will be unable to call upon 32-year-old Miroslav Stevanovic through suspension on Tuesday night. After opening their Super League campaign with a 3-1 romp against Grasshoppers over the weekend, Weiler could be tempted to name the same starting XI here.

Bagging a brace on domestic duties a few days ago and now notching six goals in as many Super League appearances continuing on from last season, Chris Bedia will spearhead Servette’s charge in midweek.

Genk

As for the visitors, managing to sign off their pre-season preparations last weekend thanks to a 2-0 victory against Premier League returners Burnley, Genk will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, ending the 2022/23 Pro League campaign with a real stutter as they mustered just a single victory from their final five domestic appearances, Wouter Vrancken’s men are still seeking some recent stability it seems. Facing what could be a stern challenge on foreign soil, a large part of Genk’s issues last season was down to their struggles on the road. In fact, the Blues claimed just one win from any of their final eight contests away from the Cegeka Arena. However, suffering just a sole defeat from any of their six pre-season showdowns, the Belgium giants have previously shown that they are a tough test on the European stage.

Team News

Both arriving in Belgium during the summer transfer window, the duo of Alieu Fadera and Christopher Baah should make their competitive debuts on Tuesday night. Notching a pair of pre-season strikes, Gambian international Fadera should spearhead Genk’s charge here.

Cementing his spot as Vrancken’s number-one last season, 21-year-old Maarten Vandevoordt will once again start between the sticks at the Stade de Geneve.

Key Factors to Consider

• Opening their Super League campaign with a 3-1 win away at Grasshoppers over the weekend, Servette are unbeaten in each of their last 12 appearances across all competitions continuing on from last season.
• Tuesday’s hosts have suffered just a single domestic defeat at the Stade de Geneve since April 2022.
• Likewise, Servette bagged 16 strikes in their final six Super League showdowns in front of their own supporters.
• Genk signed off the 2022/23 campaign by winning just one of their final eight domestic showdowns on the road.
• Continuing on from last season, Tuesday’s guests have seen five of their previous six away fixtures finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

Conclusion

Opening the new Super League campaign with a thumping 3-1 victory away at Grasshoppers, Servette will be confident of making an early Champions League statement in midweek. Gaining a real reputation for their free-scoring performances on either side of the summer break, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable affair on Tuesday night. Likewise, it should be noted, with Genk seeing five of their last six away fixtures finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome at the Stade de Geneve.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet