Lech Poznan vs Genk Prediction: Belgians bound for a tough time in Poland

Lech Poznan’s Uefa Champions League dream was brought to an end by a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Red Star Belgrade, and the Polish side must now battle it out with Genk for a spot in the league phase of the Uefa Europa League.

The Poles welcome Genk Stadion Poznan for the first leg on Thursday (19:30 BST), and there is every chance they can outrun their odds, with the Belgian visitors struggling for form in recent months. Below are my Lech Poznan vs Genk predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Elias Andersson, Alex Douglas, Ali Gholizadeh, Robert Gumny, Daniel Hakans, Radoslaw Murawski and Patrik Walemark make up a lengthy Lech Poznan injury list.

Football Odds

Genk are in better health, with only backup goalkeeper Hendrik Van Crombrugge and Dean Heymans set to miss out.

Today's Football Fixtures

Lech Poznan vs Genk Odds

Genk are 6/5 favourites to take a lead back to Belgium, with Lech 2/1, or a 33.3% chance, and the draw 5/2.

Both teams pose a serious attacking threat, so it is no surprise to see over 2.5 goals a short price at 8/13.

Tolu Arokodare, the visitors’ gigantic Nigerian striker, is the 4/1 favourite to open the scoring, with Lech’s in-form Swede Mikael Ishak not too far behind at 5/1.

Lech Poznan draw no bet @ 5/4

Genk topped the Belgian Pro League before the split last term, but despite dominating that phase, a late-season collapse saw them pipped to the title by Union St-Gilloise.

Thorsten Fink’s side won just two of their final eight games to throw away the title and the effects of that foundering have crept into the start of this campaign, with Genk losing two and winning just one of their opening four games.

Lech Poznan, meanwhile, are well up to speed, winning four of their last seven matches in all competitions. They will be disheartened by their Champions League exit, but they can hold their heads high, having racked up more shots than a talented Red Star over the two legs.

If they can find that level of performance again, there is every chance Niels Frederiksen’s men can take a lead to Belgium next week.

Mikael Ishak anytime goalscorer @ 6/4

If Genk are to have any joy in Poznan, they must find an answer to Lech’s red-hot striker Ishak, who has scored nine goals in his last eight appearances, blanking in just one of those games.

The Swedish forward has scored in all four of Lech’s European games this term, bagging an impressive six goals in that time, and he should cause a Genk defence, which has gone 13 matches without a clean sheet, all sorts of problems on Thursday.

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