Overview
Genk started the promising Europa League 2025-2026 campaign by beating Rangers 1-0 thanks to Oh Hyeon-gyu's second-half goal. However, that joy did not last long.
In the second match, thorsten Fink's team suffered a 0-1 defeat to Ferencvaros, with Barnabas Varga scoring the decisive goal right before the break.
This defeat caused Genk to find stability again, especially when their domestic form was not really convincing. In the Belgian Pro League, Genk is currently ranked 9th with 15 points after 11 matches (4 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses).
Despite losing only 1 of their last 5 matches, the problem of defense is still a big concern for the home team at Cegeka Arena. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in 4 consecutive matches. Last weekend, Genk was held to a 2-2 draw by Cercle Bruges, although Patrik Hrosovsky and Oh Hyeon-gyu both scored to help the home team take the lead twice.
Entering the next round of the Europa League, Genk will expect home advantage and the explosion of the duo Oh Hyeon-gyu and Yira Sor to win the second victory in the European Cup this season.
While Genk is looking for a recovery, Real Betis continues to show stable performance with an unbeaten record in the Europa League this season. They are completely capable of going far in the European arena.
Manuel Pellegrini's side opened the campaign with a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at La Cartuja Stadium. Antony scored in the 85th minute to help Los Verdiblancos regain a valuable point.
In the second match, Betis won convincingly 2-0 against Ludogorets Razgrad, thanks to Giovani Lo Celso and an own goal.
After reaching the UEFA Conference League final last season and only stopping at the runner-up position, Betis is showing their ambition to conquer Europe more strongly than ever.
The Andalusia side are currently unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, with their only loss coming a 1-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in August. Since then, they have shown their steadiness in both La Liga and Europa League, proving their stability and impressive adaptability.
Last weekend, Betis continued to show strong fighting spirit when they came back to hold Villarreal to a 2-2 draw. Antony shined again with an important double. With their current form, Betis entered the third round with high confidence and ambition to extend their unbeaten streak in the European arena.
Personnel situation
Ahead of the encounter in the third round of the Europa League group stage, both Genk and Real Betis have suffered significant losses in terms of force. However, the two teams still have enough quality personnel to create an attractive match.
On Genk's side, thorsten Fink will not have the service of goalkeeper Tobias Lawal due to a knee injury and defender Zakaria El Ouahdi due to a shoulder injury.
However, the German strategist is expected to keep his faith in key striker Oh Hyeon-gyu, who scored the decisive goal to help the home team defeat Rangers in the opening match.
The midfield trio of Patrik Hrosovsky, Jarne Steuckers and Bryan Heynen will likely remain the same, to ensure a balance between defense and attack for the Belgian representative.
Meanwhile, Real Betis traveled to Belgium without two key attacking stars. Isco is still recovering from injury, while Cedric Bakambu is out for the same reason. However, Manuel Pellegrini still has many quality options in hand.
Cucho Hernandez, who has scored four goals in 10 appearances this season, is expected to continue leading the attack, supported by Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli.
In midfield, Pablo Fornals, Marc Roca and Sofyan Amrabat could form a technical and energetic trio that will bring ball control and creativity to the Andalusia team.
Expected lineup:
Genk: Van Crombrugge, Nkuba, Sadick, Smets, Kayembe, Bangoura, Heynen, Steuckers, Hrosovsky, Sor, Oh.
Real Betis: Lopez, Firpo, Gomez, Natan, Ruibal, Roca, Fornals, Amrabat, Ezzalzouli, Hernandez, Antony.
The match between Genk and Real Betis takes place at 23:45 on October 23 (Vietnam time).
