Genk vs Real Betis Prediction: Smurfs to be left feeling blue

Real Betis will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the League Phase of the Europa League when they make the trip to Belgium to face Genk (17:45 BST, TNT Sports 6) on Thursday.

Betis have collected four points from their opening two matches, leaving them in ninth position, while Genk have three points to show for their efforts and are down in 18th. Below are my Genk vs Real Betis predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this League Phase contest at Cegeka Arena.

Team News

Genk are without the services of goalkeeper Tobias Lawal due to a knee injury. Defender Zakaria El Ouahdi is doubtful because of a shoulder issue.

Real Betis midfielder Isco is sidelined with a broken leg and Cedric Bakambu is in the treatment room with a muscle problem.

Genk vs Real Betis Odds

Genk are 2/1 to pick up the win on home soil, with the draw priced at 5/2. Real Betis the 13/10 favourites to take all three points back to Spain.

Both of Genk's League Phase matches have ended in 1-0 scorelines; in their favour against Rangers before they lost to Ferencvaros.

It’s 10/1 for a 1-0 win for the hosts on Thursday.

Today's Football Fixtures

Real Betis to win @ 13/10

Genk head into this contest in decent form, losing just one of their last five matches and winning three of those, but they face a step up in opponent when Betis come to town.

Los Verdiblancos have tasted defeat just once in all competitions this season and they arrive on a seven-game unbeaten streak, most recently drawing 2-2 at Villarreal on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini's side are yet to be defeated on their travels in six attempts, winning two and drawing four, and they should have enough quality to overcome a Genk side who have struggled at home.

The Smurfs have lost four of their seven encounters at Cegeka Arena, with two of those defeats coming in Europe, and they may struggle to contain in-form Betis.

Football Odds

Cucho Hernandez anytime goalscorer @ 13/8

Colombia international Cucho Hernandez leads the goalscoring charts for Betis this season with four and he looks capable of adding to his tally on Thursday.

The 26-year-old's four goals have come in his last six appearances, the most recent of those in the 2-1 victory against Espanyol before the October international break.

Hernandez is getting plenty of shots away - he has had at least two in nine of his 10 outings - and he can open his Europa League account at the expense of Genk.

Offers

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