Preview: Genk vs Malmo – prediction, team news, lineups & more related news here

Having already secured a place in the european league In the playoffs, Genk concludes its league campaign by hosting a Malmo team that has yet to achieve a victory in the competition and has nothing to play for.

Last time out, Nicky Hayen’s men drew 1-1 against Cercle Brugge in the Jupiler Pro League, while the visitors lost 1-0 to Red Star in this competition.

Match preview

Despite having a successful campaign so far in the league stage of the Europa League, Genk have struggled for consistency in the league, with the Belgian team currently in 11th place with just 26 points from their 22 outings.

Hayen’s team has fared noticeably better in Europe, winning four of seven, compared to six of 22 in the Belgian Pro League.

The Belgian team comes into this match in very inconsistent form; They have won three of their last four Europa League meetings, but are winless in their last four home games in all competitions.

Heading into the final round of the league phase, their away form has been the main reason for their European success.

Three wins from four on the road give them the third-best away record in the competition, and Thursday offers them the chance to improve their home form as they look to determine whether they crack the top eight or drop into the playoff round.

© Imago / Bildbyran

As for Malmo, they go into the final round hoping to avoid finishing last in the league stage after a hugely disappointing campaign.

In their seven Europa League games, the Swedish team has drawn one and lost six, leaving them in second-to-last place with a single point.

Their struggles in Europe also carried over into their league season, with the Swedish giants finishing sixth in the Allsvenskan, a campaign that has since concluded.

In 30 Allsvenskan matches, Malmo won 13, drew 10 and lost seven, missing out on European qualification for next season with no chance of redemption through the Europa League.

After such a poor season in all competitions, Malmo parted ways with coach Anes Mravac, appointing Miguel Ángel Ramírez in his place, and Thursday will be only his second game in charge.

This will be only the third meeting between the two clubs: Genk won one and the other ended in a draw.

Genk’s Europa League form:

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Genk form (all competitions):

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Malmö Europa League form:

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Malmo form (all competitions):

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Team news

© Imago / Bildbyran

In action on Sunday, Hayen may make changes ahead of their midweek continental clash.

Expect the club’s top scorer Hyun-Gyu Oh and Yira Sor, who scored last game, to start in the Belgian team’s attack.

As for Malmo, this will be their last game for almost a month and they will have the luxury of having a fresher team than their opponents.

Ramírez is still evaluating his best XI, but will be without Gabriel Busanello, who is serving a suspension for receiving three yellow cards in the league phase.

Otto Rosengren, Ricardo Friedrich and Jens Stryger Larsen will also miss out through injury, but former Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson is expected to remain in the bottom four.

Genk’s possible starting lineup:

legal; El Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Medina; Heynen, Heymans, Ito, Karetsas, Sor; Oh

Malmo possible starting lineup:

Ellborg; Karlsson, Jansson, Rosler, Djuric; Bolin, Lundbergh, Busuladzic, Haksabanovic; Bothheim, Ali

We say: Genk 3-0 Malmo

Despite having irregular results at home this season, Genk comes into this one as the clear favorite.

Malmo have struggled in all competitions this year and we expect them to end their Europa League campaign with another defeat.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, click here.